Searching for off leash dog parks near me or the best off leash dog parks in the Inner West? If your dog loves to run, socialise, sniff, and explore, Sydney’s Inner West has some fantastic parks where pups can enjoy safe off-lead fun.
Whether you’re after a fully fenced off leash dog park near me or a spacious open area for energetic zoomies, we’ve rounded up some popular local options to help you plan your next outing.
And if you’re short on time during the week, Sheriff About Town can take your dog on fun, supervised adventures as part of our Group Dog Walking and Doggy Day Care services.
Why off leash parks are great for dogs
Off leash parks give dogs more than just exercise. They also provide:
- Mental stimulation through new smells and environments
- Social interaction with other dogs
- Space to run freely and burn energy
- Confidence building for nervous pups
- Better behaviour at home through regular activity
A well-exercised dog is often calmer, happier, and easier to manage at home.
Need help keeping your dog active during busy workdays? Learn about our Doggy Day Care service.
Best off leash dog parks in Sydney’s Inner West
Sydney Park, Alexandria / St Peters
One of Sydney’s most popular off-leash destinations, Sydney Park offers huge open spaces, winding walking tracks and plenty of room for dogs to explore, socialise and burn energy. While the park isn’t fenced, it’s incredibly dog-friendly and a favourite among Inner West locals.
Best for: Social dogs, long walks, energetic pups and confident off-leash dogs.
Federal Park, Annandale
Federal Park is one of the Inner West’s best off-leash dog parks, offering a huge open space where dogs can run freely and socialise. One of its standout features is the small dog beach, where water-loving pups can enjoy a splash along the Rozelle Bay foreshore.
Best for: Confident dogs with reliable recall, social dogs and water lovers.
Good to know: Bicentennial Park continues on from Federal Park, but once you enter Bicentennial Park dogs must return to their leads.
Camperdown Memorial Rest Park
A favourite among Inner West dog owners, Camperdown Memorial Rest Park has a welcoming community feel and plenty of regular visitors. It’s a fantastic spot for dogs that enjoy making new friends.
Best for: Social dogs who love meeting other pups.
Looking for fenced off leash dog parks near me?
While Sydney’s Inner West has plenty of fantastic off-leash spaces, sometimes a fully fenced park offers extra peace of mind—especially for young dogs, rescue dogs or pups still building confidence with their recall.
Here are some of our favourite fenced dog parks.
Hughes Park, Earlwood
Fenced dog park with surrounding parklands for on-lead walks.
A recently upgraded local favourite, Hughes Park combines a spacious fenced off-leash area with beautiful surrounding parklands and winding footpaths. Whether your dog enjoys running free or prefers a relaxed lead walk, it’s an excellent all-round destination.
Best for: Social dogs, energetic pups and owners looking for peaceful surroundings.
Facilities: Large fenced off-leash area, walking paths and easy parking.
Peace Park, Ashbury
Fenced dog park with surrounding on-lead parkland.
Peace Park offers a generous fenced space where dogs can run, play and socialise safely, while the surrounding parklands provide leafy walking paths for dogs staying on lead.
Best for: Dogs that love to run, plus owners wanting a combination of off-leash play and relaxed walks.
Watch out for: Shade inside the fenced area is limited during summer, so mornings and late afternoons are the most comfortable times to visit.
Elliott Reserve, Strathfield South
Large fenced off-leash reserve.
Elliott Reserve is one of the biggest fenced dog parks in the area and feels more like a suburban bushwalk than a traditional dog park. Dogs have plenty of room to explore, sniff and burn energy while remaining safely enclosed.
Best for: High-energy dogs, sniffers and adventurous pups.
Watch out for: One section near the canal isn’t fully fenced, so it’s worth keeping an eye on particularly curious explorers.
NOTE: Always check council signage and current park rules before visiting.
How to choose the right dog park for your pup
Every dog is different. Consider:
- High-energy dogs: Sydney Park, Federal Park or Elliott Reserve
- Nervous dogs: Quieter or fenced areas
- Social dogs: Busy community parks
- Young dogs: Hughes Park, Peace Park and Elliott Reserve offer the added security of fenced spaces
- Older dogs: Smaller, calmer parks with shade
If your dog thrives with carefully matched dog friends, our small-group dog walking service may be a great fit.
Off leash park etiquette tips
To keep parks safe and enjoyable:
- Only let dogs off leash if recall is reliable
- Bring water and waste bags
- Watch body language closely
- Avoid bringing toys if resource guarding is an issue
- Don’t bring unwell dogs
- Respect nervous dogs and owners who need space
Too busy to get to the park? We can help
Life gets busy, but your dog still needs movement, stimulation, and fun.
Sheriff About Town offers trusted dog walking in Sydney’s Inner West, taking pups on safe, social outings with experienced walkers who know how to match dogs by temperament and energy.
We also offer half-day Doggy Day Care with two adventures in one day for dogs needing extra exercise.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a large off-leash park like Sydney Park or Federal Park, or the extra security of fenced parks such as Hughes Park, Peace Park or Elliott Reserve, Sydney’s Inner West has plenty of fantastic places for dogs to exercise, explore and socialise.
And when life gets busy, Sheriff About Town can help keep your pup active with safe, supervised group walks and half-day doggy day care across Sydney’s Inner West.