Dundas Park was our local park for a few years – we literally lived across the road from it. I loved hearing the shrills of kids playing in the water playground travelling across the oval, though don’t miss the 7am soccer matches….
The park is actually known by a few different names. The whole park is called Dundas Park, the sports field within it is Curtis Oval and the playground located near Yates Ave is the Philip Ruddock water playground. Not sure why one park needs three names but hey.
Sadly, recent investigations have found asbestos under the ground at Dundas Park – in the mound running along Quarry Road, opposite the Viking Sports Club.
The asbestos was dumped there by Jamies Hardie Industries before it was converted to a park. The area is currently fenced off while Parramatta Council await advice on how best to proceed. We have been advised that there is no health risk while the asbestos lies buried in the ground.
But in more happy news, work has begun on adding parking along Quarry Road! And should be completed by 31st March 2019.
Playground
The playground, with a great water play area, opened in November 2015. And quickly became a local favourite.
The shade sails over both the water splash area and playground make it very popular in summer.
In winter, there is plenty of grass to run around or to fly a kite on.
The playground contains:
- two swings
- play gym with slide
- Rock formation for climbing
- Mushroom stepping stones
- some nature based play elements
The water play area has a mixture of water fountains to entertain big and small kids (and adults). My personal favourite is the misty tunnel. Dundas Park has one of the smallest water playgrounds in the area. But wet is still wet and on a warm day the kids should be happy there for at least 30-60mins, if not longer!
While shade sails are over all the play equipment, they don’t block out any of the hot afternoon summer sun. Thankfully Parramatta Council has planted some more trees along the western side of the playground that will provide more shade in a few years time.
While the playground isn’t fenced, the landscaping and design does create some barrier to little ones being able to run off quickly onto the nearby roads. I would still much prefer a fence, at least a continuation of the low, log fence running around most of Dundas Park.
The Phillip Ruddock water play area is operated by pressing one of two buttons and runs on a 4min cycle. It’s operational from September until May from 9am to 8pm.
Other Facilities
At the playground and water play area, there are three covered picnic tables, a dual BBQ and a water re-fill station.
The toilets are located near the shops on Yates Ave, a few minutes walk away. There you’ll find a cafe, convenience store, hairdressers and pizza restaurant.
Exercise and Sport Equipment
The exercise equipment was recently upgraded, much to my kids disappointed. It’s now stationary equipment and there are three stations to incorporate into your workout. You will find the exercise equipment along the walk/cycle way near the basketball court and opposite from the Vikings Sports Club.
There are also cricket nets, netball courts and a basketball semi court.
Food Options Nearby
We are super excited that The Container opened at the Yates Ave shops in May 2017. There’s a covered courtyard area great for families, particularly if you have a pram. Food is yummy and reasonably priced and they have a kids menu.
Vulcano Pizzeria is open from 5pm to 9:30pm Sunday to Saturday (closed Monday), serving yummy pizza’s. We open order take away during day light savings and eat at the playground.
The bistro at the Vikings Sports Club, opposite the park on Quarry Road, is also open for lunch and dinner and has a great indoor play area, particularly good for little ones. The have a kids eat free deal on Monday and Tuesday nights and a 2 for 1 pizza deal on Monday night.
Finding Dundas Park
The park is 7kms east of Parramatta CBD, just off Kissing Point Road. There is currently only street parking around the park and it can get busy (and difficult to park) on weekends with all the sports games on. Thankfully Council is currently constructing more parking along Quarry Road.
The park can also be reached by bus from Parramatta, Eastwood and West Ryde.
Places of Interest Nearby
- The Container Cafe
- Vikings Sports Club
- Sir Thomas Mitchell Reserve
- Dundas Library
- Sturt Park
- Vineyard Creek Reserve
- Carlingford Library
- Carlingford Court
One of our favourites to visit. Our other favourite is Putney Park.
Good afternoon,I’m Rachel yeoh,I would like to make a reserve for bbq facilities at 23/11/18 this Friday from 5pm-9pm.
Hi Rachel, the BBQs at Dundas Park can’t be reserved through Council – they are available on a first come, first serve basis – and everyone is usually good at sharing.