Dog Parks, where most of us spend most of our time, rain, hail or shine. It's where we meet other dog lovers and know all the dog's names but none of the human's names.

See the link to the Northern Beaches Council's interactive Off Leash Dog Park Map, (click 'Dog Off Leash Area' in the list on the right'. You can also 'View a Text Version' for a written list of Off leash Dog Parks - www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/discover-your-area

A few of our favourites are below;

North Harbour, Condamine St, Balgowlah, NSW 2093 (Our favourite spot for our Meetups)
North Harbour Reserve is located on Condamine Street, Balgowlah. Dogs are permitted off-leash 24 hours a day.
It is not fenced but is quite large so you can keep your dogs away from the road without too much trouble. Locals love it because its a great location with a beautiful view of the water, quite a bit of shade (important for our bears) & there is a cove & waterfall where the dogs can swim, it also has a coffee shop 'Forty Beans' right next to it.
Pro tip: Watch out for weekend picnics/kids parties with lots of cupcakes before you let your dog off the lead (Phoebe was known to steal a cupcake or 5!)

LM Grahams Reserve, Odawara Cl, Fairlight, NSW, 2095
AKA 'Graham's Reserve' is located next to the Manly Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Aquatic Centre and can be entered from Kenneth Road and Balgowlah Road. The reserve is fully fenced and dogs are permitted off-leash 24 hours a day (outside the fenced sportsfields).
This is a local favourite as it is one of the only dog parks that is has lights at night (but only when sport training is on).
Unfortunately there is no cafe but there are many close by.
Pro tip: Dont go there if it's been raining a lot unless you want a very muddy doggy!

Tania Park, 2 Bareena Dr, Balgowlah heights, NSW, 2093
Tania Park is located on Bareena Drive, Balgowlah Heights. Dogs are permitted off-leash 24 hours a day.
Located along the famous Spit to Manly walk, Tania Park has one of the best views I have ever seen at a Dog Park, it looks across Sydney Harbour towards North & South Head. It is a huge area that includes multiple soccer fileds so there is plenty of room & lots of parking. There is not a lot of shade so early or late is best for a Berner here & it can get extremely windy due to the exposed location.
There is no cafe there but a few close by.
Pro Tip: This is an amazing location to watch the sunrise, the start of the Sydney to Hobart & the NYE Fireworks, but its no secret so get there early! If you have someone visiting from overseas, this is the view you show them.

Lagoon Reserve, Queenscliff, NSW
Lagoon Park is located between Pittwater Road to the west and Stuart Somerville Bridge to the east with Manly Lagoon running along the northern edge of the park. Dogs are permitted off-leash 24 hours a day.
Located alongside the Queenscliff Lagoon which connects to Queenscliff Beach, this is a great place for dogs as there is a long path from the beach end to Pittwater Rd with multiple areas of grass and of course, the lagoon which Dogs can swim in. In summer this place looks like doggy heaven as there are always dogs frolicking in the shallow lagoon.
There is a coffee shop 'Queensie on the Corner' at the beach end and a coffee cart at the Pittwater Rd end, with limited parking also at each end. There is also quite a bit of shade in the mornings.
Pro Tip: If there is a Surf Carnival at Queenscliff/Manly Beach, dont even bother trying to get a park here! It is also prone to flooding so if there has been a lot of rain the grass will be underwater and the quality of the water wont be great for them to swim.