Osborne Park Dog Off Leash Area on Swinburne Street in Geelong North is a district sporting reserve set beside the historic Osborne House. It holds two ovals, a pavilion, cricket nets and a fire brigade running track, and dogs are welcome off leash on the grass whenever the clubs are not using it.
On This Page
Osborne Park Dog Off Leash Area: At a Glance
- The Vibe: A working club ground next to a heritage mansion. Two ovals, a pavilion and not much spare ground beyond them.
- Best For: Dogs that come back when called and owners who want a choice of two ovals if one is booked.
- Off-Leash Hours: On the grassed ovals only, whenever no organised sport or training is on. Check the on-site signage before you unclip.
- Fencing: Partially Fenced. The western oval is fenced off from the busy road, but the reserve is not enclosed.
- Parking: Parking at the reserve off Swinburne Street.
Dog Park Features & Amenities
For the Dogs
- Two Ovals, Not One: There is an oval on each side of the reserve, so if a club has one booked you often still have somewhere to go.
- Road-Side Fencing on the West Oval: The western oval is fenced off from the road, which takes some of the risk out of a dog drifting wide on that side.
- Areas That Are Off Limits: Dogs are not permitted on the playground, the netball court or the turf wicket, and must stay 10 metres clear of play equipment and picnic areas.
For the Humans
- Public Toilets: Toilets are provided on the eastern side near the pavilion.
- Water Tap Without a Bowl: There is a tap on the eastern side, but no bowl is attached, so bring your own.
- Shelter and Bins: A shelter with a table sits on the western side, and bins are provided on both sides of the reserve.
Insider Tip: Osborne Park is home to the North Geelong Cricket Club and the North Geelong Football and Netball Club, so weekends and weeknight training are usually spoken for. There is also a fire brigade running track on site that sees its own use. Outside the ovals there is very little spare ground here, so if both are occupied there is no fallback. A weekday morning is your best window.
The Final Verdict
Osborne Park is better equipped than most shared reserves, with toilets, a tap, shelter and two ovals to choose from. It is still a club ground rather than a dog park: there is no enclosure, no bowl at the tap and very little room outside the playing surfaces. Time it around the clubs and it is one of the more useful options in Geelong North.
For more official information, visit the City of Greater Geelong website.
Osborne Park Dog Off Leash Area: FAQ
Q: Is Osborne Park fully fenced?
A: No. The western oval is fenced off from the adjoining road, but the reserve as a whole is not a secure enclosure.
Q: Is there water for dogs at Osborne Park?
A: There is a water tap on the eastern side of the reserve, but no bowl is attached, so bring your own.
Q: When can my dog be off leash here?
A: On the grassed ovals only, when no organised sport or training is taking place. Check the on-site signage.
