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1 Sep 2019

The Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden is ready to play

Megan Harvey

It feels like spring has sprung and is now in full swing at Centennial Park, which means that it’s time to get outdoors and explore with the little ones. Luckily Sydneysiders don’t have to go far, as the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden has reopened today after taking its well-deserved annual break.

The Parklands horticulture, arboriculture and assets teams have been very busy planting, mulching, upgrading, oiling, cleaning, repairing and painting over the past month so that all our visitors have the same high-quality nature-play experience.

What’s new?

Kids will be delighted to know that an additional 400 plants have been added, there are new pathways to explore and the space has been rejuvenated for more playtime!

The treehouse and eel timber have been repainted with a fresh coat of oil, and are looking better than ever. The popular artisanal water play area has be cleaned, treated and is ready to be explored in the sun. 

After nearly 140,000 little visitors since the last refresh, areas such as the sand pit and turtle mound have had some well deserved replenishment.


It wasn’t all just for the kids, families can now enjoy the picnic area for birthday parties, BBQs or for extra special playdates.

Get ready for endless hours of entertainment amongst the bamboo forest, treehouse, tunnels, turtle mounds and water play area. Free parking and free entry, what’s not to love?

Upgrades include 400 new plants
The sandpit has been replenished with 12 tonnes of fresh sand.
More than 500 new plants have been introduced into the Children's Garden.

What is nature-play?

Designed for all ages and abilities, the Children's Garden is a dramatic landscape in which children are encouraged to run, jump, play, learn and discover the wild side of life.

The aim of nature-play is to teach holistically through the engagement of hands, heart and mind alongside nature to develop confidence, social skills and physically.

Learn more about the benefits of nature-play here.

The treehouse is a favourite amongst children
Which is looking brand new with a fresh coat

Visit the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden today

Opening hours: 10.00 am - 5.00 pm daily. How to find the Children's Garden: Enter from Grand Drive, in Centennial Park, the Garden is adjacent to the Education Precinct off Dickens Drive. Visit our maps to see more.

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