Furry friends and greyhounds unleashed at exclusive southeast dog park

Parents love a good play centre — a place where they can sit back while their kids run wild. What about if there was an equivalent for your dog? A new park in Heatherton is offering a private play haven for your furry friend — but it comes at a cost.

Sooty and Douglas play at Heatherton’s Doggy Play Park. Picture: Mark Stewart

Dogs of all shapes and sizes have their tails wagging at an exclusive members-only dog park in Melbourne’s southeast.

Membership to Doggy Play Park costs between $40 for five casual entries for two dogs, up to $240 for a six-month “gold membership” for two dogs.

Set on just over 3ha in Heatherton, it’s a private play haven for all canines — and it’s the only park in Victoria where greyhounds can join in on the off-leash fun.

Victorian laws require all greyhounds to be leashed in all public areas — even off-leash dog parks — and mandatory muzzles became optional in January.

However, because Doggy Play Park is on privately owned land, co-owner Miranda Bailey — who founded the park with sister Shannon— says greyhounds can run unrestrained and to their heart’s desire in their own special section.

There is also the option for the breed to socialise in the mixed sessions, if their background permits them to do so.

Doggy Play Park owner Miranda Bailey says her park doesn’t discriminate against dog breeds. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Our park doesn’t discriminate against any breed and we are proud of that … it’s extremely rewarding to provide all dogs with an opportunity to run free in a safe and secure environment,” she said.

“All dogs should be able to play and have fun, that’s why we’ve made an exclusive area tailored just for greyhounds.”

The park, which has accumulated more than 100 members, runs hourly plays and is divided into three sections, including the equipment and grassy zones.

“There’s a ball and sand pit, tunnels, shell pools, tug of war, tyres, toys and kissing booth at the equipment park, and the grassy area is purposely built for faster dogs to run freely without any hazards in a large, secure place,” Ms Bailey said.

Owners can sign up online and pick an hour-long social or private play suited to their four-legged friend.

“Social sessions are for dogs with no history of anxiety, aggression or prey drive behaviour, and private classes are on offer for dogs who do show those signs,” Ms Bailey said.

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All members complete a screening process when signing up, which requires vaccination papers and personality profile.

When sign-up is complete, members can share photos of experiences at the park, ask for advice, and schedule times to meet up with one and other.

“It creates peace of mind that all dogs are immunised and those that are attending the social sessions are in fact socialised,” Ms Bailey said.

“Owners have told us they love knowing exactly who else is going to be at the park too, and that they are not going to encounter an irresponsible owner,

“We’ve seen so many people and pets make new friends, it’s so cute.”

The park is fitted with 2m-high internal and external fences, with chicken wire laid underneath the outer boundaries to prevent cheeky canines from digging their way out.

“We’ve opened this park so owners can let their dogs run around in a safe and fun environment, free of any risks … there’s nothing like seeing a happy dog stretch their legs, and their owner be worry-free” Ms Bailey said.

“The only downfall is your dog will be well and truly spent by the end of their play.”

Doggy Play Park is open 7am-6pm at 217-227 Kingston Rd, Heatherton.

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