Glebe Foreshore Parks
Glebe Foreshore Parks are four parks in one. This area is also commonly known as Bicentennial Park Glebe.
Chapman Road, Glebe, NSW 2037
By Mireia Garriga Seguranyes
When I am writing posts for Hello Sydney Kids, I cannot hide that I am falling in love with Sydney. I keep discovering new places literally every second week. And Glebe Foreshore Parks has been one of them recently.
Sydneysiders, Barcelona (where I am from) has lots to offer, but believe me, Sydney excels in terms of enjoying outdoor activities and a healthy lifestyle. There are so many parks, playgrounds, beaches, pools and rock pools that would take years to visit all of them!
Do you have plans for Sunday? Pack a picnic rug, some food, BBQ tools, scooters, a frisbee or a ball, bucket and spades. Being a mum of a six, a four and a two year old, it takes a bit of effort to get ready.
However, once you get there, I can assure you that your children will love it. Besides, you will get rewarded with beautiful views of the Anzac Bridge.
Lots of people refer to Glebe Foreshore Parks as “Bicentennial Park” and tend to think that it is only one big park. But technically, “Bicentennial Park” at Glebe belongs to Glebe Foreshore Parks.
Bicentennial is only one park of the four that Glebe Foreshore Parks comprises, in conjunction with Federal, Jubilee and Blackwattle Bay Park.
In total, there are 17 hectares that offer sports fields, paths, barbecues, picnic shelters, wetlands, a skateboard ramp, lots of shady spots, open grassed and off-leash areas. Furthermore, there are three playgrounds to explore. Yes, three!
We spent half of the day at Bicentennial Playground and the rest of the day at Jubilee Playground. My children loved this one so much that they did not want to leave. So we didn’t have time to go to Blackwattle Bay Playground.
Bicentennial Playground is fenced and has plenty of shade thanks to several sails. It has a big variety of equipment including swings, a big sand pit and a conveyer-belt style slippery dip that my children absolutely loved. It also has “imaginary play elements” such as a boat, a bridge and a mini castle tower.
Jubilee Playground is not fenced. Despite not having sails, some trees, including an enormous fig tree, provide some shade. The equipment is newer than that at Bicentennial Playground.
It is designed for older children, but my intrepid two year old managed to go up to the big mushroom slippery dip perfectly well. There is also a sand pit area, swings and the classic roundabout that all children like.
Blackwattle Bay Playground is the smallest of the three playgrounds that Glebe Foreshore Parks offers. It is located at the foot of Leichardt St.
Glebe Foreshore Parks Details
As there are four parks at Glebe Foreshore, I highly recommend that you carefully read its official website in order to avoid confusion.
For example, if you have a dog, there are lots of off-leash areas, but there are some restrictions that you need to take into account. Or, if your children want to skate, the ramp is at Federal Park.
So, it would be more convenient to park at the car park in Chapman Road after the roundabout of The Crescent with Nelson St.
Toilets/Baby change: Yes, next to Jubilee Oval and at Federal Park.
Nearest takeaway coffee: No, but there are plenty of cafés, restaurants, take away and shops at Glebe Point Road. Also, the recently restored Tramsheds Harold Park is very close to Jubilee Park. This would be the best option if you are hungry or desperately need a coffee.
Gelato Messina has a new shop there too, so keep it in mind when it is very hot. Tramsheds Harold Park is located at 1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge NSW 2037.
Locals told me that sometimes ice cream and coffee-vans pop in, but I didn’t see any that day.
Enclosed: No, only Bicentennial Park playground. Please note that the park is on the shores of Rozelle Bay, so you need to be vigilant at all times.
Shade: Yes, plenty
Mum’s report:
Glebe Foreshore Parks (which comprises Bicentennial Park, Federal Park, Jubilee Park and Blackwattle Park) is one of those places that make you realise that Sydney is an amazing place to live, despite the out-of-control house prices. Choose one park or the four of them. Your children cannot get bored. And it is free!!!
Extra:
There are so many other things to do around Glebe Foreshore Parks!
- Glebe Foreshore Walk: goes from Bicentennial and Jubilee Park to the Sydney Fish Market. The walk offers great views of the Anzac Bridge. On the way you can stop at Blackwattle Bay Park, where there is a little playground.
- Sydney Fish Market: one of the most iconic places to eat fish and chips in Sydney.
- Tramshed Harold Park: recently restored, it should be on your list if you like to explore new foodie destinations.
- Other ideas to “stretch” the day: little children sometimes don’t need much to be entertained. My girls like to spot boats, trains or something as simple as going to see the little puppies at the pet shop. There is one on Chapman Road, opposite the Federal Park car park.
Nearest station: Jubilee Park light rail station is only a short walk to the park.
Nearest ferry: No
Bus stop nearby: Yes, bus 433 and 431
Parking: Note that it can be difficult to park the car. The designated car park areas are not too big. The streets that are closer to Glebe have time limitations, including weekends.
If you get to the car park at Chapman Road early though, you should find space, and it’s right alongside Bicentennial Playground.
If you don’t mind walking and doing a bit of exercise, usually you will find a space in Trafalgar St (Annandale) and streets nearby. Trafalgar St is very hilly, so be ready to push the pram on the way back or give your children a good reason to keep walking!
Glebe Foreshore Parks Map
Have you visited this Sydney inner-city parks and playground heaven?