New off-leash dog parks across Melbourne and regional Victoria offer spaces to exercise

As part of the $315 million Suburban Parks Program, the Victorian Government is delivering 31 new off-leash purpose-built dog parks across Melbourne and regional Victoria offering dogs and their owners spaces to exercise and socialise.

The purpose-built parks include designated ball play areas, fencing, agility equipment, nature play elements, seating and drinking fountains.

The City of Stonnington’s first purpose-built dog park - Thomas Oval dog park - was officially opened in South Yarra yesterday by Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio and City of Stonnington Mayor Jami Klisaris.

The Thomas Oval dog park now offers a dedicated, fully fenced off-leash section with a quiet area, sandpit and shelter. The versatile new space is the perfect environment for dogs and their owners to exercise and socialise.

The City of Stonnington partnered with the Victorian Government to build the park, with funding coming from a $275,000 Victorian Government Suburban Parks Program grant, and $600,000 from Council.

The dog park is divided into two distinct spaces, the larger of which is for active, energetic dogs who love to run and explore, and a smaller fenced area set aside for older, quieter dogs who prefer a more relaxed park experience.

Mayor Klisaris enthused “it’s an exciting day for Stonnington dogs and their owners as we open our very first purpose-built dog park.

“We know that people who live in Stonnington love their pets and with over 8,000 registered dogs across the city, Thomas Oval is sure to become a popular meeting place for dogs who live in Stonnington and beyond.

“I look forward to visiting the park with my dogs and seeing others enjoying the space.”

So far, 28 of the 31 dog parks have been completed across Victoria, in suburbs stretching from Altona to Pakenham and as far as Mildura and Portland. The final three dog parks under construction in Eltham North and Reservoir West - will open later this year, and one in Werribee to open in 2023.

The Suburban Parks Program invested $5 million towards 14 off-leash dog parks across metropolitan Melbourne with an additional 17 off-leash dog parks funded by the $2.5 million Building Works Stimulus program.

Work is also underway to upgrade 41 parks and 29 pocket parks across Melbourne as part of the Suburban Parks Program - creating up to 6,500 hectares of new parkland, walking trails, bike trails, pocket parks and dog parks – the equivalent of more than 170 Royal Botanic Gardens.

Image top: Upgrades at Greater Dandenong’s Tirhatuan Park dog off-leash area were completed last year, giving dogs and their human companions a great new space to play; image above: Credit City of Stonnington