A nice dog park with surrounding walks through the wetlands that are perfect for relaxing after. We can confirm that balls as well as tennis rackets have been left for people to play with their dogs. There are park benches and also moveable plastic chairs to sit in. There is a doggy water station and biodegrable pop bags supplied. The only negative is that we went in summer and there isn’t a lot of shade and the bindis were a little out of control.

This park isn’t really off leash friendly. There is a busy intersection on one side of the park and it isn’t fenced in. The park also has basketball courts and a playground that are connected to it increasing the chances of a child rushing over to your dog or your dog doing the same. There is also a bit of a hill on the grassed side and no footpaths. Often there are also beer bottles, broken glass or McDonald’s packaging left lying around which is dangerous for dogs that like to eat/lick anything. On the plus side, this park has really pretty jacarandas in spring and is close to rockdale plaza, McDonalds and the kogarah town centre with easy parking nearby. There is also easy access to water stations/taps and a public toilet as well.

This is a great spot to let your dog run. There is a good sized fenced in dog park for those dogs that don’t have great recall. This can be a little dusty though. There is a tap inside the dog park and also one outside as well. Bring your own bowl though if you don’t want to use the communal plastic bowls. There are poo bags at the 2 entrances to the dog park as well and bins. The area outside the fenced dog park is timeshare off leash. There are certain times you can let your dog off but this only applies to the grassed area. Everything else is on leash. There is a paved track around the grassed area so you can also bike or walk with your dog running beside you. Nearby there is a kids playground, easy parking, boat ramp, wetlands walk and bush walk, so your dog and you can definitely go for a bit of exploring after a play off leash. The only downside to this park is that during spring and summer, there can be quiet a few bindis in the grass. It took me a while to remove them from my dogs coats after we went.

It’s not fenced in and right next to two very busy roads and the railway so it’s definitely not an off leash park for dogs that are still developing recall. Parking is also difficult. You have to park on the side streets and walk back across. There isn’t any dog water stations and the taps are hard to find. The park itself is a decent size though with some trees. One end of the park is quite sloped so if you are bringing prams or wheelchairs, it is difficult to get around. Also there was a lot of litter around the park and dumped trolleys so if your dog tends to pick up things from the ground to eat, this probably isn’t the park for you.

I wrote an email to Georges River Council to complain that this park is dangerous to dogs and owners. I also made a suggestion that a small section of Olds Park (Penshurst) which backs onto Queensbury Road be made into an off-leash dog park. It will be safer and easier to find parking.

Please write to Georges River Council to request the same park for your lovely dogs.

Dear Georges River Council Mayor and staff

Your Council knows very well that Arrowsmith Park is next to a busy road and is unsafe for dogs and their owners. Why is the Council so mean for many years and not putting a proper and safe off-leash dog park in the Penshurst area? Arrowsmith Park is a hazard.

Inside Olds Park, there is already a lot of netball courts. Why can’t you turn one-third of the grassed land next to Queensbury Road into a fenced, off-leashed dog park?

Or, the land next to the bowling club car park. There are a lot of trees and the land is not being used. All you have to do is put a fence around.

A lot of people have dogs and they go to Olds Park to walk their dogs. It is not fair for Council to NOT put a small area for dogs to run around. I’m sure you’ll find some area for dogs to run around.

Please consider my suggestions to give the dogs a fair go. Dogs are our friends, our mates and companions. I strongly request the Council to treat the dogs fairly. A lot of dog owners wish there is an off-leash area for their dogs to run around.

Thank you.

Bella.