Best playgrounds in Surry Hills
Prince Alfred Park is the top pick, with two playgrounds, including an enclosed toddlers' area, plus toilets and BBQ areas, beside Central station. The other picks split on age and shade. Some suit the littlest kids, others older ones, and one is a handy local stop.
Quick picks
- Toddlers and a day out: Prince Alfred Park has two playgrounds, with toilets and BBQ areas nearby.
- Accessible play: Cooper Street Reserve has an accessible playground and five accessible parking bays.
- Older kids and skating: Ward Park's skate bowl is next to the open play space for bigger kids.
- The youngest kids in the shade: Shannon Reserve has trees over its playground and a low fence around it.
- A small, fenced play area: Edgely Street Reserve suits a short local visit with toddlers.
Prince Alfred Park: two playgrounds and a day out
- Partly fenced
- Toilets
- BBQ
- Parking
Prince Alfred Park is the one for a long visit with young children. It has two playgrounds. One playground is enclosed for toddlers. Children can climb a wooden boat in the mini park by the entrance, and an elephant-shaped slide is there too. Swings, a see-saw and a big wide slide round out the equipment. Toilets sit near the pool entrance, and the barbecue areas have custom-designed tables and seating. Ward Park comes closest, with a toddler area, toilets and a BBQ too. Street parking on Chalmers Street is metered and limited, so allow time to find a space. Central station sits right beside the park. Weekends can fill the lawns by the afternoon, so an early start helps. It is rated 4.5 on Google (2247 ratings).
Best for: Families with toddlers who want toilets, a BBQ and Central station close by
Cooper Street Reserve: accessible play with shade and toilets
- Shade
- Toilets
- BBQ
- Parking
- Accessible play
Cooper Street Reserve is the pick when the playground has to be accessible. The play space sits on a spacious grassed lawn, and a ramp leads up to the central plaza. The reserve has disabled access, and five accessible parking bays sit by the amenities building, which holds the public toilets. Shade, picnic tables and BBQ areas are on site too. Lunchtime is when workers from the surrounding offices use it most. Shannon Reserve and Edgely Street Reserve are fully fenced, but Cooper Street's fencing isn't known. SDN Childcare is nearby.
Best for: Families who need an accessible playground, parking and shade
Ward Park: a toddler playground and a skate bowl
- Partly fenced
- Shade
- Toilets
- BBQ
Ward Park gives toddlers and older kids separate play spaces. The toddler playground is enclosed, while the open playground for older children has slides, swings, climbing equipment, a bridge and sandpits. A micro skate bowl sits beside that open playground, and an outdoor ping pong table is nearby. Prince Alfred Park has a toddler area too, but Ward Park is the one with a skate bowl. Toilets, including a timed one, are on site, along with two drinking water bubblers and a barbecue with benches. Shaded areas sit across the park, and the Surry Hills light rail stop is next door. There is no on-site mobility parking.
Best for: Families with a toddler and an older child, or a child who skates
Shannon Reserve: shade and a low fence for the youngest
- Fully fenced
- Shade
Shannon Reserve is built for children from six months to eight years. Its play area has a new play structure, slides, three swings, a nature play area and a cubby house with speaking tubes, and trees shade the playground naturally. A low fence surrounds it, and a water station sits close by for warm days. The reserve has no toilets of its own. The closest are in Surry Hills Library across the road, during opening hours. Edgely Street Reserve has a similar shaded, fenced play area for toddlers, but Shannon Reserve covers a wider age range and has more equipment. It sits beside the Clock Hotel on Crown Street.
Best for: Parents with a baby who want a low fence and trees overhead
Edgely Street Reserve: a small, fenced play area close to home
- Fully fenced
- Shade
Edgely Street Reserve is a small local park on Nickson Street, and its playground is fenced. A rocking boat and swings are the main equipment, and the play area is aimed at toddlers and younger children. Trees shade it naturally, which helps on warm days. The reserve sits in a tightly packed part of the suburb with many young families. Older children may find little to do here, so it suits a short trip with little ones. Toilets, BBQs and parking aren't known for this reserve.
Best for: A quick local visit with toddlers
How the playgrounds compare
By area
Every playground in and near Surry Hills
The table below lists every playground in and near Surry Hills, ranked by how well each suits young families.
| Park | Fenced | Shade | Toilets | BBQ | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Prince Alfred Park | Partly† | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2.Cooper Street Reserve | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3.Ward Park | Partly† | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| 4.Shannon Reserve | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | – | – |
| 5.Edgely Street Reserve | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | – |
| 6.James Hilder Reserve | Partly† | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| 7.Wimbo Park | – | ✓ | – | – | – |
| Nearby, outside Surry Hills | |||||
| Hansom Cab Place · Redfern | ✓ | – | – | – | – |
| Moore Park · Moore Park | – | – | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Marriott Street Reserve · Redfern | ✗ | – | – | – | – |
| Reconciliation Park · Redfern | – | – | – | – | – |
† Fenced on some sides only; the park's section explains where.
How we picked
The score leans most on fencing, with shade, toilets, BBQs, parking, accessible play and park size all counting too. A playground ranks higher when more of these are confirmed. A dash in the table means the detail is unconfirmed, so it never counts against a playground. Playgrounds with too few confirmed details stay in the table without a section.
FAQ
Is there a fenced playground in Surry Hills?
Yes, Edgely Street Reserve and Shannon Reserve both have play areas surrounded by fencing. Prince Alfred Park and Ward Park have an enclosed toddler area, so their fencing is partial.
Are there toilets at the playgrounds in Surry Hills?
Prince Alfred Park, Cooper Street Reserve and Ward Park all have public toilets. Shannon Reserve is the exception, and its closest option is the library across the road.
Which Surry Hills playground is accessible?
Cooper Street Reserve has an accessible play space, and its toilets are close to the disabled parking bays. Five accessible spaces sit near the amenities building, and the central plaza has a ramp.
Is Shannon Reserve good for babies?
Yes, Shannon Reserve takes children from six months old, and trees shade its play area. Edgely Street Reserve is also aimed at toddlers and younger children, so it's another option for little ones.