Dog Off Leash

A joyful Golden Retriever runs across a field

Off-leash dog areas

Council provides a range of off-leash dog areas, to allow owners to provide exercise for their much-loved canine companions.

Regular off-leash exercise helps relieve companion animal boredom and releases pent up energy, which in turn can help reduce nuisance behaviour such as uncontrolled barking. 

However, in off-leash areas, it is important to practice responsible companion animal ownership. 

Off-leash area locations

Check out the map or list below to find an off-leash area near you.

 

List of off-leash areas

There are 12 designated dog off-leash areas in the City of Parramatta, of which some are fenced and others unfenced. 

Best practice research recommends most off-leash areas should be unfenced to:

  • Maximise the space available to run freely and play
  • Reduce potential over-crowding and associated potential for conflict between dogs; and
  • Encourage adequate owner supervision.

Some dog off-leash areas do provide fencing from immediate hazards. Where a space is large enough, fencing that separates the off-leash area for quiet and playful dog use may be provided.

It is the owner's responsibility to ensure their dog's personality and play style is suitable for interaction with other dogs. 

Click on the links below for more information and please check the signs at each location for regulations. 

Fenced

  • Barnett Park, Winston Hills: fenced with both quiet and playful areas. 
  • Burlington Memorial Park, Northmead 
  • Cowells Lane Reserve, Ermington 
  • Dan Mahoney Reserve, North Parramatta 
  • Deakin Park, Silverwater 
  • F.S Garside Park, Granville: fenced with both quiet and playful areas
  • George Kendall Riverside Park (fenced area only), Ermington: fenced with both quiet and playful areas
  • John Wearne Reserve, Carlingford: fenced with both quiet and playful areas
  • Pierre De Coubertin Park, Newington  
  • West Epping Park, Epping 

Fenced with both quiet and playful areas

  • Barnett Park, Winston Hills
  • F.S Garside Park, Granville
  • George Kendall Riverside Park (fenced area only), Ermington
  • John Wearne Reserve, Carlingford

 

Not Fenced

  • Don Moore Reserve, North Rocks 
  • McCoy Park (Basin Only), Toongabbie 

Responsible dog ownership 

It is the responsibility of all dog owners to practice responsible companion animal management, including in off-leash areas. 

Council has installed clear signage in public parks and provides dog litter bag dispensers and bins at all of our designated off-leash areas.  

Here’s how to look after your dog responsibly in an off-leash area.

Do's of responsible dog ownership

  • Maintain effective control of your dog at all times, even when off-leash
  • Pick up your dog’s droppings and dispose of it in a rubbish bin
  • Be courteous to other people. Public space is there for everybody
  • Ensure your dog is microchipped and registered
  • Put a collar and name tag on your dog with a phone number
  • Consider de-sexing your dog to stop unwanted breeding and behavioural problems

Don'ts of responsible dog ownership

  • Be in control of more than four dogs at once
  • Let your dog swim at the beach or in any other public bathing area
  • Let your dog go within 10 metres of a children’s playground area or food preparation area like a BBQ

 

Where dogs are not allowed

Dogs are prohibited:

  • within 10 metres of playgrounds and play equipment
  •  at public bathing areas, including Lake Parramatta

Dogs are also prohibited in sensitive environmental areas, even if on a lead. This is vital to protect endangered wildlife.

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