36th Battalion Park Dog Off Leash Area

26 MacKenzie Street, Leichhardt NSW, 2040


The southern half of 36th Battalion Park (the open grassy part) is available for leash-free dog exercise at all times. Dogs must remain on a leash outside of this area. Dogs are not permitted within 10 metres of the children's playground. The park has a playground, BBQs, unshaded table an bins. Map:
History - The 36th Battalion served in the Second World War in New Guinea and New Britain. Formed at Ashfield in 1921, it moved its headquarters to Haberfield four years later. Their drill and training hall was originally on this site.

With start of the Second World War, the battalion recruited heavily from the areas around Haberfield and Leichardt. It was transferred to Port Moresby in May 1942 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Oscar 'Ike' Isaachsen.

Despite their defeat in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942, the Japanese were still determined to cut off supply lines between the Australian and American forces. They established heavily fortified beachheads at Buna, Gona and Sanananda in New Guinea in July 1942. From there they attempted to traverse the Owen Stanley Ranges via the Kokoda Trail to capture Port Moresby. Amongst other duties, the 36th Battalion was engaged in fighting around the Kokoda Trail, however their worst losses were incurred at Sanananda at the end of 1942, where the battalion lost half its soldiers within a fortnight.

In October 1944 the battalion moved by sea to the north coast of New Britain. Rather than carry out a major offensive against the Japanese at Rabaul, the much smaller Australian force confined the Japanese to the Gazelle Peninsula with active patrolling. For the next seven months the 36th made a name for itself with long-range patrols and numerous amphibious landings, becoming known as 'Ike's Marines'.

Dog Off Leash Area Map