Dog-friendly parks that double as social fitness hubs

Canberra dog owners have shifted morning routines to include structured fitness at two popular off-leash parks that now host regular group activities.

The change comes as ACT Health promotes outdoor movement to address rising sedentary behaviour recorded in the 2025 ACT Physical Activity Survey, where only 48 per cent of adults met weekly exercise targets. Parks that allow dogs remove a common barrier for owners who otherwise skip sessions to handle pet care.

Two hubs drawing steady crowds

Weston Park on the western shore of Lake Burley Griffin offers a fenced off-leash area near the playground and a 2.8-kilometre lakeside loop used by running groups on weekdays. Participants meet at the car park on Banks Street before 7 am most mornings. Across town, Tuggeranong Town Park runs the weekly parkrun every Saturday at 8 am, with an adjacent dog-exercise zone along the shores of Lake Tuggeranong that lets owners join the 5 km walk or jog while keeping pets nearby.

Beyond Blue ACT has partnered with both sites for monthly social walks that started in March 2026, pairing mental-health check-ins with light activity. The sessions use the existing trails rather than new infrastructure.

Numbers and next steps

parkrun Tuggeranong recorded an average of 187 finishers each week in the first half of 2026, up from 112 in the same period last year, according to the event’s published results. Entry remains free, though participants are asked to register online beforehand. Weston Park groups typically number 20 to 30 on weekday mornings with no formal fee.

Residents planning to try the spots should arrive before 7 am on weekdays or 7:45 am on Saturdays, carry water for themselves and their dogs, and check the ACT Parks website for any temporary closures after rain. Local veterinary clinics along Athllon Drive in Tuggeranong and in Yarralumla can advise on breed-specific exercise limits before starting.