It’s always exciting to see a completely new and unique playground arrive in Brisbane and the Archerfield Wetlands District park offers a completely new and exciting park for Brisbane Kids of all ages!
The Archerfield Wetlands District Park is located on the site of on old wastewater treatment plant that was decommissioned in the 1990’s. The site had fallen into disrepair until the development of the park, which has incorporated elements of the old treatment plant in the design to inspire unique play features such as the leaky pipes which are sure to be a favourite!
There is something for everyone here – an amazing playground with water play, a community hub with an event room available to hire, a large oval, basketball and netball hoops, walking tracks, lots of seating and plenty of parking.
Archerfield Wetlands District Park Playground
The Archerfield Wetlands District Park playground is an exciting, inviting and one-of-a-kind play space. The playground is dominated by a 12 metre tall structure that contains a platform 8 metres above the ground with a 13 metre long super slide.
There is also a hammock up high and the top parts of the structure are fully enclosed. There’s another shorter tunnel slide, platforms and climbing elements throughout the playground.
At ground level, there’s a series of elements that rock, swing and spin, including an accessible merry go round and basket swing over soft fall with accessibility in mind.
Water elements
Water elements are used throughout the playground in exciting and original ways, with the history of the water treatment plant being a clear inspiration. There are misting elements that spray super fine droplets in a cooling cloud – these are designed with both timer and sensor systems and use a small amount of water to minimise water usage.
There’s also some fun leaking pipes and a shower that are operated by push buttons and a hand pump. The pipes and hand pump feed into a trough that has a series of movable dams and gates as well as bridges and gutters for the water to travel through, allowing kids to direct the water where they want it to go.
All the water eventually drains into a large sand pit where visitors can use their own sand play toys. The mist emerges from elements of the playground as well as from pipes and relics of the treatment plant in the surrounding garden beds.
Imagination factor at Archerfield Wetlands District Park
In the areas surrounding the playground, there are walls of old tanks that have been repurposed as either gardens to explore with stepping stones leading through them, or as lawn areas for visitors to relax. The design encourages kids to leave the path and explore the natural elements and gardens surrounding the main playground structure. Stepping stones are also a feature throughout the playground inviting children to play ‘floor is lava’ style games.
The water play elements have been designed to inspire Brisbane Kids to find solutions and pathways for the water, encouraging engineering skills and a wonder about the world. The leaky pipes are unique and incredibly fun and the misting elements are located in all sorts of fun, funny and surprising places throughout the park.
There is also a pathway winding through a bush resources garden which has been designed with local First Nations people and botanists. This area around Oxley Creek has been home to the Yuggera Ugarapul peoples for generations so this is a great way for people to learn more about some of the resources they have used for centuries.
The Archerfield Wetlands Discovery Trail is a 2.9 kilometre one way track through the adjoining 150 hectares of wetlands along the Oxley Creek, which is home to 150 bird species. You could explore part or all of this trail and count how many different birds you can see or hear.
One exciting feature of the Archerfield Wetlands District park is a bookable room with a projector, screen and kitchenette. This would make a fantastic space for birthday parties and community group gatherings. There is a hot water tap and a fridge in the kitchenette adjoining a large room with a projector. This opens out onto a large covered verandah overlooking the parklands.
Accessibility at Archerfield Wetlands District Park
There are 133 car parks at Archerfield Wetlands District park, including several dedicated disability parks. While this site is sloped and there are stairs in places, there are wide concrete paths and ramps so that most areas are accessible with prams and wheelchairs.
We were impressed to see there are two sets of toilets at this park – one set next to the playground and a set near the main building and larger car park. A lot of the play equipment is over a sand base, but some of the water play elements have been designed to be accessible and are located at different heights and locations throughout the playground.
The development of the park has also resulted in flood management outcomes, revegetation of the site and returning disused industrial land to the community.
Archerfield Wetlands District Park facts
-
- Super slide
- Large play structure over sand, soft fall and concrete
- Swings
- Water play with leaky pipes, shower and multiple misting elements
- Rockers
- Telephone pipes
- Sand, concrete and soft fall base
- Accessible merry go round
- Basketball court
- Netball hoop
- Soccer goal
- Bush resources garden
- Access to 2.9km Wetlands discovery trail along Oxley Creek (mixed cement and gravel path)
- Barbecues
- Picnic tables
- 133 car parks
- Large and small lawn areas
- Historic features of the old treatment plant
- Oxley Community Hub bookable rooms
- Accessible toilets
- Stepping stones
- Partly shaded from shade sails and mature trees
- 150 bird species in the Archerfield wetlands
How to get here
Archerfield District Park is located on 455 Bowhill Drive Durack
Parks nearby include Thrush Street Park and Castamore Way Park.
