Melbourne Is Getting Another 18 New Pocket-Sized Parks and Off-Leash Dog Areas

That pup of yours (or that pup you've been thinking about getting) could soon score a whole bunch of new places to sniff, socialise and play, with the Victorian Government announcing plans to create five new off-leash dog parks and 13 new 'pocket parks' in Melbourne.

The new green spaces are included in the second round of the Government's $154 million Suburban Parks Program, which will see a total of 6500 hectares of new parkland, walking trails and bike trails, as well as a number of pocket parks and off-leash dog parks, created across the city. The first round of the program, which was announced in 2020, initially included nine new spaces for pooches and 15 areas for humans throughout the city — with those numbers then boosted by 17 across the state, as also announced last year.

Victorian Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio revealed plans for the next batch of parks today, Sunday, January 24, saying: "the pandemic has brought into sharp focus the importance of open green space close to home, and these new parks will deliver just that."

No opening dates have been given for the parks just announced in the program's second round; however, the five dog parks will be located in Elwood, Ringwood North, Balwyn North, Mitcham and Essendon West. The pocket parks will be popping up in Prahran, Eltham, Montmorency, Oakleigh South, Footscray, Dandenong, Glenroy, North Melbourne, Frankston, Sunshine North, Notting Hill, Moonee Ponds and St Albans.

According to the Government, the locations have been chosen based on accessibility by public transport, road or walking and biking trails.

When they open, the pocket parks will feature areas for community events, seating, play areas, shaded areas, drinking fountains, landscaping and greenery — obviously — while two- and four-legged visitors to the purpose-built dog parks will find seating, designated play areas, rockeries and agility equipment.

For more information about Melbourne's new pocket and off-leash dog parks, head to the Victorian Government website.