Darling Gardens

It’s set right in the heart of the city I love bringing my dog hear so he can mix with the other dogs & not have to worry that he has run off somwhere cause of the barriers keeping them in.
It’s also a nice place to come & eat your lunch if you work in the area.

A beautiful park that’s about a 15 minute walk away from me, and it took me 2.5 years to notice…
I love this park for a number of reasons: it’s beautiful, it’s flanked by beautiful houses that you can ogle at, it has less hippies than Edinburgh Gardens, and it has a great community atmosphere. Catch free beats on a hot summer’s day while you have a picnic or throw the frisbee. Or put your mat down and do some yoga (not my scene, but I’ve seen it done). If you’re picnicking, bring a blankey, as the grass can be a little harsh on the legs.
Those in North Fitzroy should consider coming over the road to Darling Gardens as a nice alternative to Edinburgh Gardens. Like I said, less hippies at Darling too.

I was tossing up whether to write about this place or not. If I start raving about it, maybe the secret will get out to the masses — oh well, why not share a good thing.
I love Darling Gardens. I used to get to ride through on my way to and from work, which was an absolute pleasure. The paths are lined with beautiful seasonal trees that at the moment have the most luscious green leaves.
There are huge open spaces that get daily visits from dog walkers, families, personal trainers and all other park loving types. The weekend brings a few more people, but it’s never crowded like Edinburg Gardens, which is less than 1 km away. It’s like the secret little cousin.
There is a playground for the kids. Also public toilets, which are at the very opposite end of the park — careful though as these used to be a bit of a beat.
There are public BBQ’s for the use of all and some handy picnic tables for a small gathering.
It’s walled by Hoddle St, but there is a bit of a rise and the traffic feels like miles away.

The Darling Gardens is a pretty sizeable chunk of inner city greenery. In the warmer evenings dog owners stand around collectively discussing the days events with a beer in hand while their animals sniff each other.
Its a relaxed park with a little playground near the Gold st edge, making the space family/​local oriented. Theres no boom boxes/​skaters/​public urination as witnessed in the relatively close Edinburgh Gardens. The demographics of Clifton Hill ensures the Darling Gardens remain respectable, clean and free from mass public drinking/​littering.
The close proximity to Hoddle st doesnt affect the noise or safety factor (kids running into cars) as the edge is buffered by heaps of bushes and a wide walking track. Its a peaceful place perfect for a sunny afternoon with friends or family.