Templestowe Parks Combine Dog Walks With Group Fitness Classes

Templestowe residents have increased use of two parks this year for combined dog exercise and fitness sessions that run four mornings a week.

The change follows a March 2026 council report that recorded a 32 percent rise in park-based group activities since 2024, driven by residents seeking lower-cost outdoor options after indoor gym fees climbed above $45 per week.

Early sessions at Ruffey Lake Park

Ruffey Lake Park on Parker Street draws the largest weekday crowd. Participants meet at the northern car park at 6:30 a.m. for a 5-kilometre loop that includes short strength intervals on the grass beside the lake. Dogs remain on lead during the run segments and are released only in the designated off-leash zone near the picnic shelters. The Templestowe Dog Walkers Club, which started the sessions in February, now lists 87 active members on its roster.

A second location operates on the eastern side of Main Road at Templestowe Reserve. Here the focus turns to circuit-style workouts using bodyweight moves and resistance bands supplied by participants. Sessions begin at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and finish with a 10-minute cool-down walk along the river path. The reserve’s fenced perimeter allows dogs to stay close without crossing into traffic on High Street.

Practical next steps for new participants

Both parks require dogs to hold current council registration tags and to remain under voice control during fitness segments. Newcomers can register through the Templestowe Community Centre noticeboard, where printed schedules are updated each Monday. The next introductory session at Ruffey Lake Park is listed for July 15 at no charge beyond standard park entry. Residents are advised to bring water for both themselves and their dogs, as summer temperatures in the area often exceed 28 degrees by mid-morning.