Aranga Reserve dog park upgrade

Works are progressing well and we’re on track to complete the upgrade in early May, weather permitting.

After further consideration, we have replaced the sand play area with a climbing rock mound to improve maintenance and hygiene at the park. We consulted with Friends of Manningham Dogs and Cats (FOMDAC) to make sure this change is practical and suitable for dogs and their owners.

The new, durable and natural play feature will give dogs more opportunities to climb, explore and enjoy active play.

Example climbing rock mound feature:

The final design has been updated to reflect this change.

Questions?

9840 9333

manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au

We’re improving Aranga Reserve dog park following community feedback.

Where we’ll be working

1 Eastway Avenue in Donvale, in the fenced dog activity area next to Heatherwood School.

What we’re doing

The upgrade will include:

• installation of new entry points
• new shelter
• upgraded and new agility areas
• new furniture
• new path lighting
• additional planting
• path improvements.

Why these works are needed

This project is part of our Parks Improvement Program and will be delivered under our 2025/26 Capital Works Program.

The Aranga Reserve dog park upgrade is supported by the Victorian Government through the New and Upgraded Dog Park program (Round 2).

The upgrade has been informed by community consultation, with feedback helping shape the final design.

When to expect us

• We plan to begin construction on Monday 23 February and finish in May.
• Workers will be on site between 7:00am and 5:00pm on weekdays.
• This schedule is subject to weather conditions.

What this means for you

The dog activity park and reserve will remain open during construction, with some areas fenced off for safety during works.

The closest alternate dog off‑leash reserves are shared spaces. Please be mindful of other park users:

• Koonung Creek Linear Park in Donvale
• Donvale Reserve in Donvale.

We’ll do our best to minimise disruption during this time.

Questions?

9840 9333 manningham@manninghmam.vic.gov.au

Great news - the final design for Aranga Reserve dog park is ready!

We’ve listened to your feedback and updated the design based on your suggestions.

Here’s what’s included:

• New line markings for the Aranga Crescent carpark
• Side-by-side entrances for both the small dog and the main dog areas
• Refurbished agility equipment
• Two entry points to the main dog area: one from Eastway Avenue, with a new maintenance gate, and another from Aranga Crescent
• A new gravel-surface agility course with seating
• A new shelter and paved seating area
• Retention of the existing dog training area within the main dog area
• Gradual replacement of older pine trees with indigenous species
• New lighting along the path from the carpark off Aranga Cresent to Eastway Avenue.

View the Aranga Reserve dog park upgrade final design.

To respond to community concerns regarding dogs not being kept under effective control in and around the dog park, incidents of aggressive behaviour and uncollected dog waste, the upgrade will include:

• Dog-on-lead decals along key paths to encourage responsible behaviour
• Updated signage outlining expectations for all visitors
• New planting on the north side of the playground to create a natural buffer between the playground and the dog park.

We’ll also continue to work with Friends of Manningham Dogs and Cats (FOMDAC) and our community to support and promote responsible pet ownership across Aranga Reserve.

What’s next

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, subject to weather and contractor availability.

We’d like to thank everyone who shared their feedback on the Aranga Reserve dog park upgrade.

During consultation, we heard from 68 community members, including residents, community groups and regular park users.

Overall, most people were in favour of the concept plan, with 83% strongly supporting the plan.

What you liked about the concept plan

• New quiet dog area (90%)
• Separate entrance, drinking fountains, seating, shade and retaining the agility equipment in the new quiet dog area
• Improvements to the main dog area (84%), including the new shelter and additional seating
• New dog agility area and sandpit
• Path lighting between Eastway Avenue and Aranga Cresent (88%)
• Additional planting

Suggestions for improvement

• Access to a rubbish bin within the fenced dog park
• Ensure fencing reaches to ground (to prevent small dogs from escaping)
• Non-slip surface on the proposed tunnel
• Dedicated area for puppies and small dogs near the FOMDAC clubhouse
• Retain the existing fenced quiet dog area as a training area for dogs

Additional ideas

We received suggestions to include features such as shade over the drink fountain with shade and gravel circuit path in the main dog area.

While these items are outside the scope of the current budget, they’ll be considered as part of future planning for the dog park.

What’s next?

The concept plan will be updated in response to your feedback and the final plan will be available in October 2025.

Construction is expected to commence in February 2026, subject to weather conditions and contractor availability.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact us on 9840 9333 or manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au.