Rain had settled in and my feet were itching to get moving. Sydney Park, and its 44 hectares, was my destination today. I knew that the council had been creating a wetland in this area and I wanted to see how it coped with the deluge of rain we have had this summer.
Sydney Park is across the road from St Peters railway station, head for the very large brick chimneys that are a relic from the former brick works, which is the gateway to the park. |
| The Brick Ovens |
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| St Peters station |
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| View from hill. |
Children's Playground.
The children's playground is new and well planned where older children and infants are catered for. It is a maze of adventurous playground pathways with wooden animals that invite investigation. There are bridges, slippery dips and a creek meandering through the midde. Elevated sandpits provide easy access for little hands. A lavish garden of native plants includes a row of Hibiscus tileaceus with its yellow flowers and dark red leathery leaves with an understory of lavender. I spot melaluecas, figs, grevilleas, casuarinas and rainbow lorikeets.
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| Wooden Wombats |
There is something for all children in this playgound if you have small children you may find it difficult to move past the playground, so perhaps going there last could be the plan.
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| Ferny glen |
More to explore
The plantings are exciting and dense in some parts. There are several water courses through different gullies, one captures my heart as it is planted with delicate ferns, and luscious palms. The large palms are the cabbage tree palm Livistona australis with its rustly fronds. I am priveleged to be the only person wandering around in this area. It is just beautiful with the light misty rain. I see an intricate spider web with a Golden Orb Spider sitting in the middle, the silky threads holding little droplets of water.
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| Cabbage tree palms |
Further on there are large grassy areas and watery ponds with birds to feed and observe. There is plenty of space for a picnic, or to throw around a ball.
Clearly an oasis of tranquility for both humans and animals and it's all free !
Clearly an oasis of tranquility for both humans and animals and it's all free !
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| Large dam |
Destination: Sydney Park, Princes Hwy St Peters.
Route: Train - Central Station alight at St Peters Station.
Bus 423,422 from Central.
Suitable: children, dog lovers, adults, solitude, picnics, joggers, walkers, ball games. Nice pathways throughout.Plant enthusiasts.
Time: allow at least 2 hours to wander and explore park. There is a coffee shop near the playground.
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