Best playgrounds in Leichhardt
Pioneers Memorial Park is the Leichhardt playground to try first, since it has a large sandpit, all-abilities features, a toilet beside the play area and parking next door. What separates the rest is fencing and facilities. Wangal Nura Park is the one that's fully fenced and shaded, while Hawthorne Canal Reserve is the one with BBQs.
Quick picks
- All-rounder: Pioneers Memorial Park pairs a sandpit playground with a toilet, shade and parking beside it.
- Toilets and benches: War Memorial Park has accessible toilets with baby change and plenty of seating.
- Fenced toddler play: Wangal Nura Park keeps little ones contained under a shade sail.
- Playground and BBQ: Hawthorne Canal Reserve puts play equipment, BBQs and courts on one side of the canal.
- Two playgrounds, one shady corner: Marr Reserve has separate toddler and older-kid areas.
Pioneers Memorial Park for sandpit play with everything nearby
- Shade
- Toilets
- Parking
- Accessible play
Pioneers Memorial Park has the richest play area in Leichhardt. Children can climb, dig in the big sandpit, swing and slide. Prams roll up ramps on both sides, and the all-abilities features suit toddlers. Parents and carers get seats. There's a toilet near the play area, parking beside the park, and shade from many tree species. Free Wi-Fi covers the area as well. At 4.45 ha it's the largest of the picks. Dogs can't go near the playground, though an off-leash area runs along the eastern side. North Street Playground sits 0.4 km away for a second stop.
Best for: Toddlers, children of all abilities and families who want a toilet and parking close by
War Memorial Park for toilets, tables and evening light
- Shade
- Toilets
- Accessible play
War Memorial Park suits families who plan to stay a while. Picnic tables and park benches sit beside the playground, and a remodelled amenities building adds a unisex accessible toilet with baby change next to the public toilets. The park is wheelchair accessible, established trees line the edge, and night lighting extends play past dusk. BBQs aren't offered, so pack a cold lunch. Parking is the catch. With no on-site car park you'll use street parking on Moore Street and Catherine Street, and spaces fill early on weekend mornings. Evan Jones Playground sits 0.6 km off.
Best for: Parents who want comfort and seating, and anyone who plans a picnic or a birthday
Wangal Nura Park for a fenced, shaded toddler playground
- Fully fenced
- Shade
- Accessible play
Wangal Nura Park has a fully fenced playground made for toddlers and open to all abilities, so small ones can't wander off. A shade sail covers it, which makes midday play comfortable, and a fort and other children's play equipment keep them busy. Seats and tables let adults sit close. The park is only 0.21 ha, yet a basketball hoop, a soccer goal and a large grassy area give older kids something to do. The entrance is wheelchair accessible. We couldn't confirm toilets or parking, so check before a long visit. Marr Reserve is a short stroll.
Best for: Toddlers, runaways and mixed-age groups who need a contained play area
Hawthorne Canal Reserve for a playground with BBQs and courts
- Toilets
- BBQ
- Parking
- Accessible play
Hawthorne Canal Reserve has a playground with play equipment for young children, and it's the Leichhardt pick with BBQ facilities. Picnic tables, seating, toilets and on-site parking are close by. The playground, BBQs, toilets and the basketball and tennis courts all sit on one side of the canal, so the day stays in one spot. The off-leash dog park is on the other side, away from the play area. Wheelchair access is listed. At 0.72 ha it's compact, and the canal paths give you somewhere to walk between turns. North Street Playground lies 0.5 km along.
Best for: Larger groups, BBQ lunches and families with kids who also want to shoot hoops
Marr Reserve for separate toddler and older-kid playgrounds
- Not fenced
- Shade
Marr Reserve has two playgrounds, one for toddlers and another for older children, so siblings of different ages can both play. Slides are easy for small children to use, and plenty of shade covers the play areas. Benches and a covered picnic table give parents somewhere to sit, and a drinking fountain handles refills. The playground isn't fully fenced and quiet streets border the park on all sides, so keep a close eye on young children. You'll find no public toilets on site, and the closest sit about 500 metres off at Leichhardt Marketplace. Mornings are calm and quiet.
Best for: Families with kids of different ages and short, quiet morning visits
How the playgrounds compare
By area
Every playground in and near Leichhardt
The table below sets out each playground in Leichhardt side by side, then lists the closest ones past the suburb line.
| Park | Fenced | Shade | Toilets | BBQ | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Pioneers Memorial Park | – | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| 2.War Memorial Park | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 3.Wangal Nura Park | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | – |
| 4.Hawthorne Canal Reserve | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5.Marr Reserve | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | – | – |
| 6.Evan Jones Playground | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | – |
| 7.Marlborough Street Playground | ✓ | – | – | – | – |
| 8.North Street Playground | Partly† | – | – | – | – |
| Nearby, outside Leichhardt | |||||
| Robson Park · Haberfield | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Richard Murden Reserve · Haberfield | – | – | ✓ | – | – |
| Cohen Park · Annandale | – | – | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Whites Creek Valley Park · Annandale | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
† Fenced on some sides only; the park's section explains where.
How we picked
Fencing came first, followed by shade, toilets, BBQs, all-abilities play and the size of the park around the equipment. To become a pick, a playground needed enough confirmed detail to fill a section, so the smaller ones stay in the table. Anything we couldn't confirm appears as a dash, and a dash never counts against a park.
FAQ
Is there a fenced playground in Leichhardt?
Yes, Wangal Nura Park has a fully fenced playground that suits toddlers and children of all abilities. Evan Jones Playground and Marlborough Street Playground are fully fenced too, but Marr Reserve's playgrounds aren't.
Where can I have a BBQ near a playground in Leichhardt?
Hawthorne Canal Reserve has BBQ facilities, picnic tables, toilets and parking beside its playground. War Memorial Park has tables but no BBQ. Robson Park is the next-nearest option, 1.56 km away.
Which Leichhardt playground has toilets?
Pioneers Memorial Park has a toilet near the playground. Hawthorne Canal Reserve has toilets too, while War Memorial Park adds an accessible one with baby change. Marr Reserve has none.
Can dogs go to playgrounds in Leichhardt?
Dogs can visit Leichhardt parks but must keep clear of the equipment. War Memorial Park keeps dogs 10 metres from its playground, and Pioneers Memorial Park keeps them away entirely.