Breaking ground on new Cambridge Dog Park

CONSTRUCTION has begun on a new off-lead dog park in Cambridge, marking the first major milestone of the Cambridge Oval Master Plan and a new chapter in dog-friendly infrastructure for the city.
From 7 July, the site will become a hive of activity, as work begins on the $900,000 project, sure to get tails wagging across the Eastern Shore.
The park is set to open in early 2026, and once complete, will be Clarence’s second dedicated off-lead facility, designed to provide a safe, inclusive, sensory and enriching space for dogs and their owners.
Covering one-and-a-half-hectares, the park will include two fully fenced exercise zones, training areas, nature-based play features, a central ‘pup hub’ meeting area with seating, 6,000 square metres of new turf, accessible walking paths and a new car park.
Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley said the project not only responded to the community’s call for more off-lead dog spaces but also delivered on the long-term vision for a revitalised, multi-purpose precinct.
“This is more than a dog park, it’s the first real step in realising the Cambridge Oval Master Plan,” he said.
“We’re transforming this undeveloped part of the site into a space that brings together grassroots sports, nature, education and recreation, while also supporting the needs of our growing community, including our four-legged residents.
“What we’re creating is a safe, social and scenic space where dogs can roam free and their humans can connect too.
“Whether you’re training a puppy, walking your dog, or simply passing by, this new space is designed with comfort, safety, and shared use in mind.”
The park is part of the Cambridge Oval Master Plan, which also outlines future upgrades including two full-sized soccer pitches, a sports pavilion, improved parking, walking trails and collaborative facilities developed with Cambridge Primary School and the Department for Education, Children and Young People.
The launch of the dog park comes ahead of a city-wide review of Clarence’s Dog Management Policy, where the community will have a say on issues such as where dogs can be off-lead, support for assistance animals, and how shared spaces are managed across the city.
“As we deliver this infrastructure, we’re also looking ahead to how policy can better reflect the real-world needs of dog owners and non-owners alike,” Mayor Blomeley said.
“This review will give the whole community, whether they own a dog, love dogs, or simply live alongside them – the chance to shape how we manage dogs in public spaces now and into the future.”