HJ Mahoney Memorial Park on Illawarra Road in Marrickville is a large, unfenced sports ground beside the Cooks River. Inner West Council allows off-leash exercise in designated areas at set times, and dogs go on a leash whenever organised sport is on. There are toilets, drinking water and picnic tables on-site, and the open edges mean reliable recall is essential.
HJ Mahoney Memorial Park: At a Glance
- The Vibe: A flat, open sports ground on the Cooks River with floodlight towers, a skate plaza and artistic graffiti walls nearby. Mature trees line the river edge and houses climb the hill behind.
- Best For: Social dogs with reliable recall that need room to run and don’t mind sharing the grounds with sports teams.
- Off-Leash Hours: Designated areas and times only, set by Inner West Council. Dogs must be on a leash when the grounds are in use for organised sport. Check the council’s park map for current times.
- Fencing: Unfenced. The grounds are open to surrounding roads, including Illawarra Road.
- Accessibility: The park is wheelchair accessible.
- Parking: Free street parking on the surrounding streets. Spots can be tight.
Dog Park Features & Amenities
For the Dogs
- Unfenced, Recall Required: The grounds are open and sit beside roads, so only take your dog off-leash if they come back every time, even with other dogs and traffic around.
- Sport Comes First: Dogs go on a leash whenever the fields are in use for organised sport. Check the field before you unclip.
- Drinking Water: Water bubblers are on-site, but they’re for people. Bring a portable bowl so your dog can drink after a run.
- Poo Bags: Poo Bag dispensers are provided on-site. Carry a spare in case they run out.
For the Humans
- Public Toilets: Available in the main amenities building.
- Picnic Tables and BBQ: Council lists a picnic area with a BBQ for a sit-down during your visit.
- Skate Plaza, Court and Graffiti Walls: The park has a skate plaza, a full-size basketball court and legal graffiti walls. Keep your dog clear of them when they’re busy.
- Seating and Shade: Mature trees along the river edge and around the grounds give shade, and there are benches to sit on.
- Lighting: The floodlights are for sport, and the off-leash areas aren’t lit for public use, so plan on daylight visits.
Insider Tip: Look over the fields for training cones, warming-up teams or sports gear before you let your dog off the leash. Sport is busiest on winter weekends, so weekday mornings are the easiest time to avoid leashing up halfway through a run. Check the council’s park map for the off-leash times.
The Final Verdict
HJ Mahoney Memorial Park gives Marrickville dogs a lot of open grass beside the Cooks River, with toilets, water, Poo Bags and picnic tables close by. Sport and council times decide when you can run off-leash, and the open edges next to roads mean it only suits dogs with strong recall.
For more official information, visit the Inner West Council website.
HJ Mahoney Memorial Park: FAQ
Q: Is HJ Mahoney Memorial Park fenced?
A: No. It’s unfenced and open to surrounding roads, so it only suits dogs with reliable recall.
Q: Can my dog be off-leash at HJ Mahoney Memorial Park at any time?
A: No. Off-leash exercise is allowed only in designated areas and at set times, and dogs go on a leash when organised sport is on. Check the council’s park map before you go.
Q: Are there toilets at HJ Mahoney Memorial Park?
A: Yes. Public toilets are in the main amenities building.
