Enjoying the outdoors with your dog
It is estimated there are more than 500,000 dogs in Sydney alone! It is important for pets to enjoy the great outdoors with their owners and it is also important that our native birds, lizards and mammals are not harmed by your pet.
Dogs must remain on leash at all times when in public (including bushland) except in designated off-leash areas.
Prohibited areas (Companion Animals Act, 1988, section 14)
Prohibited areas for dogs include any part of a public place which is:
1. Within 10 metres of any children's playground or play equipment; or
2. Within 10 metres of any food preparation/consumption areas; or
3. Recreation areas including areas for public recreation or playing of organised games; or
4. Within designated sensitive areas such as bushland, wetlands and mangrove foreshores; or
5. School grounds; and 6. Childcare centres.
Council has designated particular areas throughout Lane Cove for off-leash exercise for dogs, many of which are on ovals or parks adjacent to bushland areas.
Did you know that walking dogs in bushland significantly reduces the number and species of birds found in these areas? Read more on this research.
Download the map of off-leash areas in Lane Cove
The following areas are designated as off-leash exercise areas
Off leash exercise areas
- Bob Campbell Oval, Greenwich (on open playing field areas when organised games are not in progress)
- Kingsford Smith Oval, Longueville (on open playing field areas when organised games are not in progress)
- Ronald Park, Greenwich
- Pottery Green, Lane Cove (on open playing field areas when organised games are not in progress, not including playground area)
- Tambourine Bay Reserve, Riverview (except bushland areas, not including playground area)
- Blackman Park, Lane Cove West (fully fenced Off-leash Dog Park)
- Blackman Park, Lane Cove West (on open grass playing field areas when organised games are not in progress)
- Stringybark Reserve, Lane Cove (open playing field areas only, not including playground area)
- Tantallon Oval, Lane Cove West (open playing field areas only when organised games are not in progress)
- Cunninghams Reach, Linley Point (not including playground area)
- Lloyd Rees Reserve, Northwood (not including playground area)
- Newlands Park, St Leonards (not including playground area)
- Gamma Road Reserve, Lane Cove (adjacent to Lane Cove Golf Course)
- Burns Bay Reserve, Riverview (open playing field areas only when organised games are not in progress, not including playground area)
- Helen Street Reserve, Lane Cove (not including playground area)
- Ludowici Reserve, Lane Cove West
- Shell Park, Greenwich
- Manns Point Park, Greenwich
- Turrumburra Park, Lane Cove (fully fenced Off-leash Dog Park)
In all remaining areas within the local government area, dogs must be kept on-leash. The responsibility of dog owners while dogs are in public space can be read on the NSW legisaltion website under the Companion Animals Act, 1988, section 13.
Being a responsible dog owner benefits both other people and the environment by:
- Protecting our native animals, such as birds and lizards, particularly when they are nesting or basking.
- Reducing the spread of weeds, which can be easily transported on dog fur.
- Making it is easier to locate and pick up dog droppings; droppings increase soil nutrient levels, which in turn favours weeds.
- Protecting our plants and waterways from physical disturbance.
- Providing a safer and healthier working environment for Bushcare volunteers and bush regeneration staff.
Professional Dog Walkers
Professional dog walkers conducting commercial business within Lane Cove Public Open Space must have a permit to operate.
