Callan Park
Callan Park is a 60-hectare heritage-listed park at 303 Balmain Rd, Lilyfield NSW 2040, on the Iron Cove foreshore in Sydney's Inner West. Its standout feature is an official off-leash dog area, alongside sports grounds and the Bay Run walking route.
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About Callan Park
Off-Leash Dog Areas at Callan Park
Callan Park has an official off-leash dog area with an open field. Callan Park also has a dog-friendly trail and a swimming area. Callan Park may not have agility equipment or water stations for dogs, so visitors should bring water for their dogs. At the Waterfront Drive sporting ground inside Callan Park, dogs must be on leash during organised sport, training and events. Outside those times, dogs may be off leash on the playing surface. Dog owners visiting Callan Park can walk dogs on the trail and in the open field, with the sporting ground rules applying on match and training days.
Sports Grounds at Callan Park
Callan Park has two sporting grounds managed by Inner West Council. Glover Street Sporting Ground has baseball, AFL and soccer fields, plus toilets, a drinking fountain and floodlighting. Waterfront Drive Sporting Ground has two full-size soccer fields, a synthetic cricket wicket and three cricket nets, plus toilets, a drinking fountain and floodlighting. Both sporting grounds at Callan Park are fully booked for mid-week training and weekend use. Visitors who want to play sport at Callan Park should plan their visit around those existing bookings.
Walking Paths and Outdoor Exercise at Callan Park
Callan Park has the Bay Run, a walking route that runs through the park along the Iron Cove foreshore. Callan Park has paths through the park, including the Bay Run and a dog-friendly trail. Callan Park offers views over Iron Cove from its grounds. Callan Park has an outdoor exercise area with chin-up bars and benches for a quick workout between walks. Callan Park sits next to Iron Cove on its northern side, so the Bay Run follows the water's edge for much of the route.
Heritage History of Callan Park
Callan Park is a heritage-listed site that was previously known as the Garry Owen Estate. The Colonial Government bought the private estate to use as a lunatic asylum. The main complex at Callan Park was completed in 1885 and used for patients until 1994. The Callan Park precinct was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in July 2008. Sydney College of the Arts occupied the Kirkbride Complex at Callan Park from 1996 until it moved to the main Sydney University campus in 2020. Callan Park was also a primary filming location for the fictional colony Port Victory in the 2023 TV drama The Artful Dodger.
Facilities at Callan Park
Visitor tips for Callan Park
- ✓Plan around the sporting grounds, which are fully booked for mid-week training and weekend use.
- ✓Keep dogs on leash at the Waterfront Drive sporting ground during organised sport, training and events.
- ✓Bring water for your dog, since Callan Park may not have dog water stations.
- ✓Walk the Bay Run along the Iron Cove foreshore for water views.
- ✓Use the outdoor exercise area with chin-up bars and benches for a workout.
- ✓Enter from the main entrance on Balmain Road at 303 Balmain Rd.
Getting to Callan Park
Main entrance on Balmain Road, 303 Balmain Rd, Lilyfield NSW 2040. Parking is available within the park.
Open in Google Maps →Nearby Lilyfield
- 📍Iron Cove
- 📍Rozelle
- 📍Balmain Road
Frequently asked questions about Callan Park
Can I take my dog to Callan Park, and does it have off-leash areas?
Yes, Callan Park has an official off-leash dog area with an open field. The park also has a dog-friendly trail and a swimming area. At the Waterfront Drive sporting ground, dogs must be on leash during organised sport, training and events, and may be off leash on the playing surface at other times.
What sports facilities or courts are available at Callan Park?
Callan Park has two Inner West Council sporting grounds. Glover Street Sporting Ground has baseball, AFL and soccer fields with floodlighting. Waterfront Drive Sporting Ground has two full-size soccer fields, a synthetic cricket wicket and three cricket nets.
Is there a cricket or soccer field at Callan Park I can use?
Yes, Callan Park has a synthetic cricket wicket and three cricket nets at Waterfront Drive Sporting Ground. The same ground has two full-size soccer fields. Both sporting grounds at Callan Park are fully booked for mid-week training and weekend use.
Where is the best place to park when visiting Callan Park, and is parking free?
The main entrance is on Balmain Road at 303 Balmain Rd, Lilyfield NSW 2040. Parking is available within the park.
Are there good walking paths or trails through Callan Park?
Yes, the Bay Run runs through Callan Park along the Iron Cove foreshore. The park also has a dog-friendly trail. An outdoor exercise area with chin-up bars and benches is located in the park.
What public toilets and water fountains are available at Callan Park?
Callan Park has public toilets and a public restroom. Drinking fountains are located at both Glover Street Sporting Ground and Waterfront Drive Sporting Ground, and each of those grounds also has toilets.