St Leonards Park is a large, historic park in North Sydney, and dogs are welcome off-leash across its open lawn areas. The catch worth knowing: dogs aren’t allowed on the ovals (North Sydney Oval and Bon Andrews Oval), or within 10 metres of the playground or barbecues. It’s unfenced and sits beside busy roads, so it suits dogs with reliable recall.
St Leonards Park: At a Glance
- 🐾 The Vibe: A large, historic sports park with plenty of open lawn for dogs, around the edges of the formal sporting ovals.
- 🐕 Best For: A run in open space for social dogs with reliable recall, since the park’s unfenced.
- Where Dogs Can Go: Off-leash in the open lawn areas. Dogs aren’t allowed on North Sydney Oval or Bon Andrews Oval, or within 10 metres of the playground or barbecues.
- Fencing: Completely unfenced, with the lawns close to busy main roads, so take real care.
- 🅿️ Parking: Tricky. Only timed, often scarce on-street parking on the surrounding roads.
Dog Park Features & Amenities
For the Dogs
- Safety warning: unfenced and near roads. The off-leash lawns are completely unfenced and sit close to busy roads, including Miller Street. Only bring a dog whose recall you can count on.
- Off-leash in the lawns, not the ovals: Dogs are welcome off-leash across the open lawn areas, but not on North Sydney Oval or Bon Andrews Oval, and not within 10 metres of the playground or barbecues. There’s still plenty of grass for a good run.
- Water bubbler: There’s a bubbler in the park, though it’s worth bringing a portable bowl too.
- Poo bags: Bags are kept at the rear of the bowling club work shed, and there are bins around the park. It’s still worth carrying a spare in case they run low.
For the Humans
- Know the boundaries: Off-leash is for the open lawns. Dogs aren’t allowed on the ovals or in bushland, and you need to stay 10 metres clear of the playground and barbecues.
- Toilets and seating: The park is well set up, with public toilets, picnic tables, barbecues and plenty of seating.
- Daytime use: The open areas aren’t floodlit for public dog use, so they’re best in daylight.
Insider Tip: The dog-friendly part is the open lawn, not the ovals themselves, which are off-limits to dogs even when no sport is on. Keep your dog leashed near the roads, the formal gardens and the playground, and let them off only once you’re well clear in the open space.
The Final Verdict
St Leonards Park gives you a lot of open lawn to run a dog close to central North Sydney, with public toilets, seating and barbecues nearby. Just know the limits: the ovals (North Sydney Oval and Bon Andrews Oval) are off-limits to dogs, it’s unfenced and beside busy roads, and you need to keep 10 metres from the playground and barbecues. For a dog with reliable recall, the open lawns make a good run.
For more official information and to check sportsground status, visit the North Sydney Council website.
St Leonards Park: FAQ
Q: Is St Leonards Park a fenced dog park?
A: No. It’s unfenced, with off-leash access across the open lawn areas, and it sits beside busy roads, so it’s only suitable for dogs with reliable recall.
Q: Can my dog go on the ovals at St Leonards Park?
A: No. Dogs aren’t allowed on North Sydney Oval or Bon Andrews Oval. They’re welcome off-leash in the open lawn areas instead, just not within 10 metres of the playground or barbecues.
