Correction (10 October 2026): an earlier version of this page listed places and details we could not stand behind. It has been rewritten from scratch: every place below was confirmed at two independent sources between 9 October 2026 and 10 October 2026.
An off-leash area is only an off-leash area where the council says so, and the sign at the gate settles any argument. This page lists six council parks in and around McKinnon: three in McKinnon, two in Ormond and one in Bentleigh.
Each entry gives the council’s own wording on where dogs can go off lead first, then what the council page lists nearby, such as barbecues and playgrounds. Every park was checked against the council page and OpenStreetMap.
The council pages we read do not give off-leash times for these parks. Where that matters, the answer is: check the council order and the signage.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Off-leash northern end | Allnutt Park | Wheatley Road, McKinnon |
| Off-leash southern oval | McKinnon Reserve | McKinnon Road, McKinnon |
| Off-leash by the hit-up wall | Wattle Grove Reserve | Wattle Grove, McKinnon |
| Off-leash near Tyrone Street | Joyce Park | Jasper Road, Ormond |
| Off-leash eastern ovals | EE Gunn Reserve | Corner Foch and Malane Streets, Ormond |
| Off-leash grass near Ethel Street | Halley Park | Jasper Road, Bentleigh |
Allnutt Park — Wheatley Road, McKinnon VIC 3204
Per the council, the northern end of Allnutt Park is designated as an off-leash area, while the southern end is on-leash only. Same park, two sets of rules. The council page also lists a large playground, and says each picnic shelter is near BBQ facilities. Check the council order for times before you let the lead go.
Off-leash status: northern end off-leash, southern end on-leash only, as the council lists it.
McKinnon Reserve — McKinnon Road, McKinnon VIC 3204
The council lists the southern end of McKinnon Reserve, described as oval two, as an off-leash area. It also says dogs must be on-leash within 20 metres of barbecues and picnic areas, so the picnic shelter is a lead-on zone. The council page mentions BBQ facilities and public toilets near that shelter, and a nature play space. For the rest of the reserve, check the council order.
Bring: a lead you can clip on fast, because the council’s on-leash rule applies around the barbecues and picnic areas.
Wattle Grove Reserve — Wattle Grove, McKinnon VIC 3204
The council’s dog section limits off-leash to the area 20 metres south of the hit-up wall at Wattle Grove Reserve. Treat that as the boundary and keep the lead on elsewhere unless the council order says otherwise. The council page also lists a tall climbing cube with a rock wall feature and a picnic shelter with two tables near the playground and BBQ facilities.
Off-leash status: only the area south of the hit-up wall, per the council’s dog section; check the signage for the rest.
Joyce Park — Jasper Road, Ormond VIC 3204
In Ormond, the council says the eastern side of the Tyrone Street entrance at Joyce Park is off leash. That is the only off-leash description we found on its page, so the council order and the gate sign decide the rest. The council page also lists BBQ facilities near a picnic shelter, a playground suited to younger children, and Box Cottage, home to the Moorabbin Historical Society.
Inside or outside only: this is a park, so everything is outdoors; the council places off leash at the eastern side of the Tyrone Street entrance.
EE Gunn Reserve — Corner Foch and Malane Streets, Ormond VIC 3204
The council says the eastern ovals at EE Gunn Reserve, the ones closest to the railway line, are off-leash areas. The same page says the reserve is home to Ormond Cricket Club, Ormond Glenhuntly Baseball Club and Ormond Tennis Club, so check the signage if a club is using an oval. It also lists BBQ facilities near the picnic shelter, and says most of the playground is under shade cloth.
Off-leash status: eastern ovals closest to the railway line, per the council; other areas, check the council order.
Halley Park — Jasper Road, Bentleigh VIC 3204
Halley Park is in Bentleigh, a little beyond the other five. The council says the open grassed area at the western end, closest to Ethel Street, is off-leash. Treat the playground and picnic areas as on-lead and confirm with the council order. The council page puts the park just around the corner from Patterson train station and lists BBQ facilities near the picnic shelter. Melbourne Playgrounds describes an outdoor gym with six stretching and limbering exercises plus strengthening exercises.
Bring: a lead for the walk in from the station side, since only the western grassed end is listed as off-leash.
Quick answers
Which parks near Mckinnon have off-leash areas?
The council lists an off-leash area at each of the six parks on this page. Allnutt Park has its northern end, McKinnon Reserve its southern end (oval two), Wattle Grove Reserve the area south of the hit-up wall, Joyce Park the eastern side of the Tyrone Street entrance, EE Gunn Reserve its eastern ovals and Halley Park the grassed area at the western end near Ethel Street. Times are not on the pages we read, so check the council order and the signage.
Is Allnutt Park off-leash?
Partly. The council says the northern end of Allnutt Park is designated as an off-leash area, while the southern end is on-leash only. Keep the lead handy and read the signage at the entrance you use.
Can dogs run off-lead at McKinnon Reserve?
In one part. The council lists the southern end of McKinnon Reserve, oval two, as an off-leash area. It also says dogs must be on-leash within 20 metres of barbecues and picnic areas, so put the lead on near the picnic shelter.
Where is the off-leash area at Wattle Grove Reserve?
The council’s dog section gives it as the area 20 metres south of the hit-up wall at Wattle Grove Reserve. For anywhere else in the reserve, check the council order and the signage rather than guessing.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources between 9 October 2026 and 10 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, council pages and melbourneplaygrounds.com.au. Facilities and opening hours change, so check the official page before you go. The cover photo is illustrative, from Unsplash, and does not show any place on this page.
Seen something out of date? Email [email protected] with the page link and what has changed, and we will check it again.
Sources
- Allnutt Park: openstreetmap.org/28393500, gleneira.vic.gov.au/allnutt-park
- McKinnon Reserve: openstreetmap.org/28394152, gleneira.vic.gov.au/mckinnon-reserve
- Wattle Grove Reserve: openstreetmap.org/70658860, gleneira.vic.gov.au/wattle-grove-reserve
- Joyce Park: openstreetmap.org/28639779, gleneira.vic.gov.au/joyce-park
- EE Gunn Reserve: openstreetmap.org/30124666, gleneira.vic.gov.au/ee-gunn-reserve
- Halley Park: openstreetmap.org/977132163, gleneira.vic.gov.au/halley-park, melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/halley-park-outdoor-gym-bentleigh
