Location
More Information
For additional information please visit the Leichhardt Municipal Council website.
Note: While Doggo aims to provide the most up-to-date information, councils and/or park authorities may change their regulations regarding dog exercise areas at any time. We suggest checking with the relevant park management for the latest information.
Hawthorne Canal Reserve
Facilities
- None
4 Comments
As much as I love the idea of a lovely dog-focused Cafe in the middle of a dog park – this is just disappointing in various ways.
Firstly, be careful if this is your first time there. Although the park is not fenced off, its an off-leash park. Most dogs here are left off their leash while owners enjoy a cuppa, and usually forget to keep an eye on their dog. Its quite overwhelming – not neccessarily for a person, as most dogs are very well behaved, but rather for a little puppy like mine who had his first outting there and had nothing but a wide selection of fully grown dogs trying to “get busy” with him. Not welcome.
Also, there is a canal that runs right along side the park (hence the name). Many dogs have fallen in because they are over-exicted or just not paying attention. The canal is shallow, but not very nice to have to go running around in to fish out your dog. Be wary.
Finally, just be ready for some crazy dog-types who are very opinionated and very eccentric. These are good people, but are very ready to share their opinions – we got told off for having our dog on a leash – it was his first time out since his last vaccination, and he is a Rottweiler. We were just being careful and responsible and were very openly criticised by a lady who said the dog should be off leash to socialise. She didn’t know us – but was quite angry at us.
Needless to say, lovely novelty but not going back – i’ll just get a take-away coffee next time and go to a less crowded, less pretentious dog park.
Too bad too, great idea.
FYI if you choose to go – no eftpos facilities, take cash. They sell “Doggychino’s” and dog biscuits… puppy loved it.
We’ve been going there daily for a year with our poodle, & have never seen anything like Carly went through. The people are generally friendly, interesting and helpful, and the dogs love being there. The coffees are good too, and sitting at a table with our (dog park) friends in the late afternoon is a great Inner West experience!
I can agree with some parts of Carly’s experience. As locals, my husband and I had been there a number of times to assist with socialiseing our dog – a smallish, gentle geriatric (10 years old and 6kg!). We always had him on a lead except for possibly 2 occasions when visiting, more so for his safety, as he was adopted by us 2 years ago and it appeared he had very little socialisation. Just too much to worry about though. We have never been confronted about having him on a lead however we did tend to stay away from the cafe area as it is just manic. A mix of people, some who feel that as their dogs have graduated from puppy preschool they don’t require any further training in manners or obedience. I was amazed at the number of owners who carried on walking throughout the park, totally unaware of their dogs behaviour – ie pooing and leaving their mess behind. We had one very scary incident with a malamute pup that would not back off and resulted in an argument between us and its owner – needless to say we have not been back and won’t be with our second geriatric four legged family member. This park is not for the faint hearted. We prefer the quieter streets and parks for their twilight years for any exchanges and have a walking circuit of local dogs that we say hello to each evening.
I have been a local to Hawthorne Canal Reserve for 6 months and take my dog to the park at least twice daily. She LOVES it! Of course there have been a few incidents with dogs that are a little too exuberant, around the cafe when food is involved BUT this will happen any place that groups of dogs are playing together. There have not been any major run ins that werent able to be sorted with a calm, casual conversation between the owners. All the people I have met have loved animals and had respect and understanding of dogs natural behaviours. I can imagine that there are exceptions to this experience BUT dont give up on the park or its people. It is a gem!