Best BBQ and picnic parks in Dulwich Hill
Johnson Park is the Dulwich Hill pick for a barbecue, with covered cooking areas that can be used after dark. The parks here differ on whether the barbecue is covered, whether there are picnic tables, and whether there's a playground for the kids. Hoskins Park has the playground, and Jack Shanahan Park adds a skate area to its tables and barbecue kiosk.
Quick picks
- Covered cooking: Johnson Park has barbecues under cover, and night lighting for after dark.
- Playground: Hoskins Park has a playground linked to its barbecue by an accessible footpath.
- Skate area: Jack Shanahan Park pairs its kiosk barbecue and picnic tables with a big skate area.
Johnson Park for covered barbecues after dark
- BBQs
- Covered shelter
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Parking
Johnson Park has undercover barbecue areas for group cooking and eating, with picnic tables for sitting down to the meal. Night lighting means the barbecue and picnic areas can be used after dark, so a cookout doesn't have to end at sunset. A public restroom is on site, so you don't have to leave during a long stay. The L1 light rail stop is close by for anyone coming without a car. Hoskins Park and Jack Shanahan Park both have barbecues, but neither has night lighting listed for its picnic area.
Best for: Groups who want a covered barbecue in the evening, with a restroom close at hand
Hoskins Park for a barbecue with a playground
- BBQs
- Covered shelter
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
Hoskins Park is the pick for a barbecue with kids in tow. Its playground was upgraded, and a new accessible footpath links the playground to the barbecue, so the cooking and the play sit close together. A public toilet is on site. A shelter sits alongside the picnic areas on the village green, which has mature trees around its edge. Drivers can park for free nearby, and groups can make a booking enquiry for hire through the council, so a larger gathering can plan ahead.
Best for: A cookout for a household with little ones who want a playground on the day
Jack Shanahan Park for picnic tables and a skate area
- BBQs
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Parking
Jack Shanahan Park is the pick for a barbecue on a skate day. Its picnic kiosk sits in the middle of the reserve and includes a barbecue, with picnic tables set around it, and Pin Oaks shade the picnic spot. Public toilets are in an amenities building, and there's an on-site car park. The skate area is big and varied, with a separate learning area for beginners, so younger riders have their own space. The reserve sits directly next to The Greenway, and a lit path runs to the Dulwich Hill light rail station.
Best for: Cooks with a skater, BMX or scooter rider in the group
How the parks compare
By area
Every BBQ and picnic park in and near Dulwich Hill
The table shows every park in and near Dulwich Hill, with the picks first and the rest ranked by how well each suits a barbecue or picnic.
| Park | BBQs | Shelter | Tables | Toilets | Playground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Johnson Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| 2.Hoskins Park | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3.Jack Shanahan Park | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| 4.Laxton Reserve | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| 5.Alison Playground | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Nearby, outside Dulwich Hill | |||||
| Yeo Park · Ashfield | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gough Reserve · Ashfield | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tom Kenny Reserve · Marrickville | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Gilbert Barry Reserve · Marrickville | – | – | – | – | – |
How we picked
We compared the parks on barbecues, covered shelter, picnic tables, toilets, a playground, parking and size, along with the setting. Unknown details show as a dash in the table, not as a no, so a blank cell isn't a verdict on the park. A park needed a barbecue, a covered shelter or picnic tables, plus enough known details to write about. Parks without those stay in the table only.
FAQ
Which park in Dulwich Hill has covered barbecues?
Johnson Park, on Constitution Road, is the answer for a group that wants a barbecue out of the weather. Its picnic areas are lit, so the meal can run past dusk.
Can a group book a picnic spot in Dulwich Hill?
Hoskins Park can be hired by groups, and the enquiry goes through the council. Ask early if your gathering is large, since the council handles the hire.
Is there a playground at a barbecue park in Dulwich Hill?
Yes, Hoskins Park has a playground that was upgraded and is linked to its barbecue by a new accessible footpath. A public toilet is on site, so a family outing can cover the cooking, the play and the toilet.
How do I get to Johnson Park without a car?
The L1 light rail stop is close to Johnson Park on Constitution Road, so the light rail is the car-free option. Street parking also runs along Constitution Road for anyone who drives.