Elliott Reserve

Elliott Reserve sits in Strathfield South, beside the Cooks River and a short way from Greenacre. The draw for dog owners is a spacious leash-free field inside the reserve.

Leads and the leash-free area

Strathfield Council has set aside a grassy area where dogs can run off-leash. Follow the signs for where it starts and ends, and keep your dog on a leash on the paths beyond it.

There is one quirk. Dogs are temporarily banned from the park when a circus sets up there. If you see tents going up, pick another spot that day.

The walk

The reserve joins the paved Bay to Bay Walk and Cycleway, so you can combine a run in the field with a longer on-leash stroll. Open grass fields line the way, with the Cooks River flowing alongside.

Max: The cycleway is shared with bikes. Keep the leash short and your dog on your side of the path.

Pair it with

Back towards Greenacre, Lee Park is another local walk, and The Brooks Cafe in Lidcombe is close enough for a coffee.

Suits dogs that need a real run before a calm walk home. Bring water for the dog.