Lough Playing Fields offers your dog a huge, historic sportsground for an off-leash run in Double Bay, but getting your timing right is crucial. This guide explains the specific off-leash window and rules for this unfenced park in the Woollahra council area, the perfect spot for an early morning or evening sprint.
Lough Playing Fields: At a Glance
- 🐾 The Vibe: A grand, open sports field that doubles as a dog hotspot for early birds and evening walkers.
- 🐕 Best For: High-energy dogs with solid recall who need a massive space for a full-speed run outside of business hours.
- Off-Leash Hours: Strictly timed. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the fields from 4:30 pm to 8:30 am daily.
- Fencing: Completely unfenced, with the huge fields opening onto Manning Road.
- 🅿️ Parking: Free but competitive on-street parking is available on Manning Road and surrounding streets.
Dog Park Features & Amenities
For the Dogs
- Heads Up: Unfenced Park. The massive sports fields are not fenced. The park is only suitable for dogs with perfect, reliable recall.
- Strictly Timed Access: The off-leash hours of 4:30 pm to 8:30 am are enforced. Your dog must be on a leash at all other times.
- Sports Trump Dogs: The off-leash privilege is cancelled if the fields are in use for organised sport, even during the designated hours.
- Bring a Bowl: A human water fountain is available, but you’ll need to bring a portable bowl for your dog.
- Bring Your Own Poo Bags: There are no bag dispensers, so you must bring your own to keep the sports fields clean.
For the Humans
- Public Toilets: Public restrooms are available for park users.
- Connection to Cooper Park: The fields are adjacent to the beautiful (and on-leash only) bushland trails of the main Cooper Park gully.
Insider Tip: For the ultimate dog adventure, start with a big off-leash sprint at the fields in the late afternoon, then clip the leash on at 4:30 pm and head straight into the adjoining Cooper Park trails for a scenic, on-leash cool-down walk through the gully.
The Final Verdict
Lough Playing Fields is a fantastic space that offers an enormous area for dogs to run, but it operates on a strict schedule. It’s the perfect park for locals who can make the early morning or evening time slots work. The lack of fencing requires a well-trained dog, and the potential for sports clashes means you always need a Plan B. For a disciplined owner, the sheer size and quality of the grounds make it a top-tier choice for exercising a high-energy dog.
For more official information on park rules, visit the Woollahra Municipal Council website.
Lough Playing Fields: FAQ
Q: Is Lough Playing Fields a fenced dog park?
A: No, the sports fields are completely unfenced and open to the surrounding area. The park is only suitable for dogs with excellent recall.
Q: What are the off-leash hours at Lough Playing Fields?
A: Dogs are permitted off-leash on the sports fields from 4:30 pm in the afternoon until 8:30 am the next morning, seven days a week.
Q: Can my dog be off-leash if a cricket game is on?
A: No. Even during the designated off-leash hours, dogs are not permitted off-leash on any field that is being used for organised sport.
