Hall Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

42 The Esplanade, Clifton Hill VIC, 3068


Hall Reserve is a large park along the Merri Creek in Clifton Hill. There are two playgrounds within the reserve. The Capital City Trail connects bike riders and walkers to the Yarra River, and runs along the Merri Creek, through Hall Reserve. Hall Reserve includes Walker Street soccer ground. Facilities include picnic tables, cricket practice nets, half court basketball, soccer pitch, and water taps.

It is a dog off-leash area with the following restrictions:

• Dogs are prohibited within playgrounds at any time
  
• Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of playground areas

The grassy reserve is dotted with trees and bordered on the east side by Merri Creek and on the west side by The Esplanade. The Merri Creek Trail runs along the side of the reserve. In the north west corner of the reserve there is a basic playground. In this region there is a sign about the possibility of snakes between October and March. As you travel further to the south there are two unshaded tables and a water tap without a bowl. Fifty metres further to the south is a bin and water tap with concrete depression in the ground which forms a bowl.

There is also a historical gardener's shed. The construction of this building was undertaken by workers on ""susso"", a government welfare program for the unemployed, in the Great Depression of 1929-32. It was initially used as a gardeners shed. The building has been retained as a link to the local community and the workers, and as a record of their experience of the great depression.

At this point the shared use trail darts away towards the creek and there is a gravel path running through the off leash area which is about 50m wide. At the point where the road does a 90 degree turn to the west, there is a nice playground with basketball court, cricket nets, bin and unshaded table. The area opens up to a field with soccer goals at each end with some unshaded seats. The length of the reserve is about 660m and is a nice walk which is quite popular with dog owners.