Steel Park in South Marrickville – Great Playground With Excellent Water Play Area

We’ve been hearing people rave about the water playground at Steel Park in Marrickville for a while and so are really delighted to bring you a post with lots of photos today.  Take it away Liz Ledden!

Steel park marrickville water playground

Steel park marrickville water playground
The playground is surrounded by trees
Steel park marrickville water playground
Watch out for water jets
 

Steel Park Playground and Water Play

Illawarra Road, Marrickville South NSW 2204

Steel Park has it all – water play fun for little ones, a flying fox older kids will love, a great playground and extensive bike tracks. Make a day of it and pack a picnic or supplies for a barbecue.

As the park is right by the Cook River and unfenced, you do need to be conscious of where your kids are! The beautiful natural setting and extensive grounds make this park seem far from its otherwise urban inner west setting.

Council website: http://www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au/community/recreation/facilities/waterplaypark.html

Steel Park features a fun playground and a water play area amongst lots of shady trees. A picturesque part of the Cooks River flows by, with a bike track alongside. There are sprawling sporting grounds surrounding the park, giving it a wonderful feeling of space.

The playground features large and small slides, a climbing frame, swings and a seesaw, and the star attraction, a large flying fox.

The water play area is designed to be eco-friendly, using recycled water collected from the roof of a nearby sports centre, which is then treated and recycled again. Kids can wade through a shallow spiral stream, and run through water jets, with each feature designed to reflect the natural world.

The water is turned on from October through to March, and much of this area is under a shadecloth.

There are several electric barbecues, an undercover area with picnic tables and lots of trees, making Steel Park a wonderful venue for a picnic lunch or a birthday party.

Nearest coffee:  There is a cafe at the Debbie and Abbey Borgia Recreation Centre on the far side of Steel Park beyond the sporting oval, or it’s a short walk across the river to Adora Chocolates, Earlwood (http://www.adora.com.au/) for a coffee and some of their excellent chocolate.”

Toilets: Yes, right by the waterplay area.

Shade: Yes, there are trees, a shadecloth over the waterplay area and undercover picnic tables.

Enclosed: The playground isn’t fenced and its proximity to the river means you need to keep a close eye on your kids, but it’s nevertheless one of the inner west’s most gorgeous parks.

Mum’s report: My kids love this park, especially for splashing around in the waterplay area. The flying fox is manageable even for three year olds, however it’s just as fun for adults! The picturesque riverside setting and adequate shade make it a great place to spend a few hours, and the chocolate shop and café nearby is an added bonus.

Extra: Bring bikes or scooters and take advantage of the bike path. If you have more time, take a short drive up to Illawarra Road’s great mix of Vietnamese restaurants, Greek cake shops and cool cafes, like Cornersmith.

Parking: There is a carpark onsite. If full, there is street parking available nearby, however you need to cross a very busy stretch of Illawarra Road to reach it.

Nearest station: Tempe or Marrickville (although neither are too close – drive or take the bus instead!)

Bus stop nearby: Yes

Author bio:  Liz Ledden is a Sydney-based writer who blogs about all things travel and food at devoured (www.lizledden.com/devoured). She can also be frequently found testing the city’s many parks, playgrounds and babyccino hotspots with her two young girls. You can follow her on Twitter: @_devoured

 
Steel park marrickville water playground
Following the water
Steel park marrickville water playground
Playground by the river
Steel park marrickville water playground
Shaded picnic areas by the river
 
Steel park marrickville water playground
The flying fox
Steel park marrickville water playground
The water play area mimics a stream

 

Thanks so much Liz, I’m so happy to have this post on the blog. Readers will find it really useful and I’m sure it will inspire many visits to Steel Park.

 Does your family love a bit of water play?

Can you recommend another good water play area?

 Happy playground hunting.

 

Share with a friend

Join the Conversation

5 Comments

  1. says: Liz // devoured

    Thanks Carolyn. And I agree – there are so many! I think people tend to stick to ones in their own areas alot so it’s nice to get out of your comfort zone and explore a new part of the city.

    Thank you Victor!

  2. says: myriam

    thanks for sharing these photos so the Steel Park at Marrickville. I have been invited to a birthday celebration, now I now what to expect and am very please to attend. Cheers

    1. says: Seana Smith

      My pleasure! That’s why I love to write on this blog, it lets mums and dads and carers know about places before they get there. So handy! Hope you have a good visit.

Leave a comment
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *