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Reminder to dog owners:
These park areas are NOT off-leash dog areas.
- St Vincent Gardens
- Blessington Gardens (St Kilda Botanical Gardens)
- Elwood Canal
The councils Animal Management Officers are cracking down on errant dog walkers in these and other on-leash areas and issuing on the spot fines of $113.
St Vincent Gardens
Renowned for the significant mature tree specimens registered with the National Trust, the garden is a local icon for the social activities that go on here. Activities in the park range from relaxing walks and siestas to organised sports competition. The Lawn Bowls Club was established in 1873, and the Tennis Club in 1883 - on the site of an earlier croquet ground.
Blessington Gardens (St Kilda Botanical Gardens)
Registered with Heritage Victoria, the gardens contain approximately 810 mature tree specimens of which eight are registered as significant with the National Trust. This combined with the Alister Clarke Rose Garden, installed in the 1950s, a Sub-Tropical Rainforest Conservatory, Annual Floral Displays and local, indigenous plants provide a valuable collection of plants to study or just enjoy a picnic.
Elwood Canal
The Elwood Canal Management Plan won a commendation award in the management category of 'Landscape Management'. Three years ago the Elwood Canal Master Plan for this project was modified to focus on open space management.
These gardens and parks offer passive recreation in beautiful quiet locations. With their well groomed beds, recreation spots and children's play areas, the gardens and the people using them are put at risk when pooches have unrestricted access to them.
Don't be dismayed about not being able to let your dog run and play off its leash in the gardens. There are many other parks and beach areas in Port Phillip where your dog can frolic unrestrained. To view these see the table and map below.
Dogs must remain on-leash at all times unless on private property or in a designated off leash area. This rule doesn't just refer to parks and reserves but to the streets, paths and walkways as well.
Always remember:
Dogs must remain on-leash unless signed otherwise.
Be responsible when your dog's off its lead
The City of Port Phillip understands that owners need spaces to let their dogs run and play without a leash. While all dogs should be kept on a leash while outside your property, the council has designated a number of local parks and reserves as off-leash areas. When using these areas dog owners should still carry a leash at all times and ensure the dog remains in sight and is under effective voice control, not threaten other people or animals, and be subject to owner liability.
Random patrols are conducted during daylight hours throughout the year and people not complying are fined up to $113 or prosecuted. Remember to carry a bag and scoop any droppings to keep our bay and beaches clean.
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Off-leash parks and reserves
| Port Melbourne |
Lagoon Reserve
Page Reserve
Howe Reserve
Smith Reserve
Hester Reserve
J L Murphy Reserve
Garden City Reserve
Julier Reserve
West Port Foreshore Reserve |
57 C3
57 D1
57 D1
57 C2
57 B2
56 K1
56 K2
56 H2
56 H3 |
| Middle Park / Albert Park |
Albert Park Reserve (managed by Parks Victoria)
Gasworks Park |
2K
57 D4 |
| St Kilda |
M O Moran Reserve (north of footpath bounded by Marine Pde)
Marina Reserve
Peanut Farm Reserve |
67 A1
57 K12
58 A11 |
| East St Kilda |
Alma Park West
Alma Park East (north of oval) |
58 D8
58 E8 |
| Elwood |
Head Street Reserve
Clarke Reserve |
67 D5
67 C1
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Map showing off-leash areas for dogs
The attached map shows all designated off leash areas for dogs in the City of Port Phillip, arranged on a neighbourhood basis. The map includes parks, reserves and beaches.
 Off leash areas for dogs in Port Phillip (02/2006) (updated February 2006)
Dogs are also not permitted within five (5) metres of playgrounds, public barbeques or exercise equipment areas.
For those people living close to the edges of the City of Port Phillip, their closest dog park may not be in our municipality.
- For the St Kilda Road neighbourhood, their closest off leash park may be Fawkner Park which is in the City of Melbourne's municipality.
- For those living in neighbourhoods on the edge of Elwood and Ripponlea, Elsternwick Park which is in the City of Bayside could be the closest. To find out what parks are in these municipalities please refer to the following links:
Melbourne City Council
Bayside City Council
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On the spot fines apply
- Dogs wandering at large
- Not having dogs on leashes when they should be
- For failing to carry a bag and pick up after your dog
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Relevant links and more information
Albert Park Lake
Albert Park Lake Reserve is managed by Parks Victoria, even though it is located in the City of Port Phillip. While the reserve is primarily an on-leash park, there is a good amount of space set aside for exercising your dog off a leash. More information is available on the Parks Victoria website - www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1parks.cfm.
Dogs on beaches
There are seven dog beaches in Port Phillip - five where pooches can play off a leash all year round, and two early morning dog beaches. Restrictions apply at other beaches depending on the season. See Dogs on Beaches for more information.
More information
Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Animal Management.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO ALWAYS CARRY BAGS TO PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG.
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