Ward Park, Surry Hills Is Getting an Upgrade: What Dog Owners Should Know

What's Actually Happening

The City of Sydney ran its first round of community feedback on Ward Park in early 2024, asking residents how they use the space and what they'd like to see improved. Based on that feedback, a concept design was developed and put out for a second round of community input from March to May 2025. Importantly, the council confirmed that no trees will be removed as part of the works — all existing trees will be retained and protected.

The design feedback is currently under review. No construction start date has been publicly confirmed, but given where it sits in the council's pipeline, works are likely to progress through 2026. When they do start, dog owners who use the park regularly should be prepared for some disruption.

Why This Park Matters More Than Most

Ward Park — officially Eddie Ward Park — is more than just a convenient off-leash space. It sits directly adjacent to the Northcott Housing Estate on Belvoir Street, home to over 600 units housing predominantly elderly residents and people on disability pensions. For many of those residents, the park is genuinely the closest accessible green space available — and its off-leash status makes it particularly important for residents who keep dogs as companion animals.

It is the only 24-hour off-leash dog park within easy reach for those with companion animals at Northcott, and a wide and varied group of people use the space including dog walkers, parents and children, sun-bakers, skateboarders, and exercisers. That community character is worth acknowledging — it's a park that genuinely serves a mix of people, not just the newer residents of the surrounding streets.

The tenants at Northcott recalled a previous upgrade of Ward Park that saw the major section of the park surrounded by cyclone fencing for over nine months while new turf was laid — with delays extending the disruption well beyond what was originally expected. It's a reminder that park upgrades, even well-intentioned ones, can significantly affect access for an extended period.

What to Watch For

Nothing has been confirmed in terms of a works start date or staging plan at this stage. But based on the previous experience, here's what's worth keeping in mind:

Access may be restricted in stages. Council upgrades of this type typically fence off sections progressively rather than closing the whole park, but the off-leash area could be reduced or relocated during works.

Check the City of Sydney website and signage. Temporary changes such as during maintenance works are announced online and on-site. If you use Ward Park regularly, it's worth checking the City of Sydney's proposed works page periodically for a confirmed start date.

Know your alternatives. Eddie Ward Park sits within easy walking distance of several other off-leash parks in Surry Hills — Harmony Park, Frog Hollow Reserve, and James Hilder Reserve are all close by. Prince Alfred Park near Central is a short walk downhill and remains one of the best off-leash options in the area. If Ward Park becomes disrupted during works, none of your alternatives are far.

A Good Park Getting Better

The concept design's commitment to retaining all existing trees is genuinely good news. The park's mature trees and grassed open space are what make it work as both a community gathering space and an off-leash area — upgrades that preserved those qualities while improving amenity would be a genuine improvement for the people who rely on it most.

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