Sydney appears to be in the middle of a playground arms race, and we're very much here for it! With enormous climbing towers and wheelchair-accessible trampolines, pump tracks, water play and a playground inspired by an old paddle steamer on the horizon, 2026 has delivered a bumper crop of new playgrounds in Sydney. Better still, there's plenty more on the construction schedule before the year is out, with several exciting new play spaces already pencilled in for early 2027.

We've gone council by council across Greater Sydney to track down the substantial new and completely revamped playgrounds worth knowing about. Grab the scooters and start plotting your next park crawl.

New Playgrounds in Sydney That Opened in 2026

Gunyama Park, Zetland

Green Square's latest park officially opened on 15 August 2026, and it's straight onto the must-visit list.

The new 6,300-square-metre Gunyama Park has a whopper of a playground with around 70 metres of tunnels and tube slides, alongside climbing structures, sand and water play. For older kids, there's a new skate plaza, while more than 150 trees are helping turn this once-industrial corner of Zetland into a much greener place to play.

Location: Corner of George Julius Avenue and Zetland Avenue, Zetland

Leppington Park, Leppington

Leppington scored a seriously impressive new backyard in July, with the opening of a 7.6-hectare park designed to give the rapidly growing south-west somewhere to run wild.

The playground leans into nature play with sandstone steps, balance logs, climbing nets and sensory elements, while accessible equipment includes a slide, basket swing and spinner. There's also a beginner-friendly pump track and youth hub, plus musical play with timber xylophones, chimes and voice tubes. Shelters, accessible amenities and parking make this one much more than a quick swing-and-slide stop.

Location: Leppington, opposite Forest Lawn Memorial Park

Edward Bennett Park Playground, Cherrybrook

Cherrybrook welcomed back a local favourite in August 2026, after Edward Bennett Park's playground received a major glow-up.

The redevelopment lifts the playground from a small local facility to a district-level play space, giving Hills families a much more substantial destination for a park day. One particularly parent-pleasing detail: the revamped play area is fully fenced.

Location: Edward Bennett Park, Cherrybrook

The Gables Lake Foreshore Playground, Gables

Why build one playground when you can scatter five play spaces around a four-hectare lake?

The Gables Lake Foreshore has added a brand-new playground to its sprawling lakeside precinct, giving local families another reason to make a beeline for the water.

The new play space sits beside the four-hectare lake and features climbing, sliding and active-play elements, with plenty of room nearby for scooting, strolling and stretching out on the grass. A basketball half-court, shared paths and boardwalks around the lake help turn a quick playground stop into a much bigger family outing.

The new Lake Foreshore Playground is the fifth neighbourhood playground to open at The Gables, joining Stargazing Park, Slidey Park, Wheelie Park and Orchard Park. There's also another playground within the huge Gables Central Playing Fields sporting precinct.

Location: Lakefront Crescent, Gables

Anthony Skarratt Reserve, Box Hill

Another fast-growing Hills district has gained new space for kids and teens, with the first stage of Anthony Skarratt Reserve completed in July and officially celebrated on 1 August 2026.

The new community hub includes a youth playground and plaza, outdoor play space and areas designed to work alongside the reserve's new community facilities. As Box Hill continues its transformation from semi-rural suburb to family hotspot, this is one locals have been waiting for.

Location: 8 Nelson Road, Box Hill

Kilpack Park, Carlingford

Carlingford's Kilpack Park re-emerged in July after a $1.55-million makeover, complete with a brand-new playground and outdoor gym.

The wider park also received new landscaping, improved lighting, widened paths and refreshed barbecue facilities, making it considerably easier to turn a playground stop into lunch, a walk and a little more energy-burning before heading home.

Location: 28 Darwin Street, Carlingford

Toggerai Park, Appin

Appin scored a major new outdoor destination with the opening of Toggerai Park, a sprawling 17-hectare recreation space just north of the town centre.

The playground takes its cues from the surrounding bushland and Dharawal Country, with a striking lyrebird-inspired play structure, flying fox and swings, and nature-based play spaces. There’s also around one kilometre of walking trails, shaded picnic shelters, barbecues, accessible amenities and plenty of open green space for stretching out beyond the playground.

One feature to note before visiting is the playground's steep adventure slide. Following reports of injuries shortly after opening, it was cordoned off for further assessment. 

Location: 180 Appin Road, Appin

Somerville Park, Eastwood

Somerville Park reopened in June 2026 following a hefty $4.7-million renewal, and the playground is only part of the attraction.

There's now an all-ages play space with a dedicated nature-play area, alongside a multi-purpose court, fitness stations and walking facilities. Accessibility was also a major consideration in the redesign, making this a much more useful neighbourhood park for a broader range of visitors.

Location: 673X Blaxland Road, Eastwood

Yeo Park Inclusive Playground, Ashfield

The lovely Yeo Park gained a new inclusive playground in June, with the finished space officially opened on 13 June 2026.

Set among the established trees and green space of this much-loved Inner West park, the redevelopment focuses on more inclusive play, making Yeo Park an even better option when you're looking for somewhere leafy without leaving the city.

Location: Victoria Street, Ashfield

Hinsby Park Playground, Annandale

Annandale also received a fresh playground, with the upgraded Hinsby Park officially opened on 27 June 2026.

The makeover focused on replacing ageing equipment and improving the play space, including better surfaces and shade. It's a smaller neighbourhood option than some of the mega parks on this list, but a very handy new addition for Inner West families.

Location: 11 Piper Street North, Annandale

Bieler Park Playground, Randwick

Bieler Park reopened in June looking considerably more adventurous than before.

The inclusive playground now has high swings, a roofed play structure with double slides, a bridge and a geometric climbing structure. One standout addition is a wheelchair-accessible in-ground trampoline, while the area's magnificent existing fig trees have been incorporated into a nature-play zone.

Location: 56R Gilderthorpe Avenue, Randwick

Marjorie York Park Playground, Lane Cove

This Lane Cove playground quietly reopened in June with a lovely nature-focused makeover.

New climbing equipment sits alongside a swing and hammock, while a dry creek bed and little bridge add an imaginative element that doesn't rely solely on traditional playground equipment. There's also lawn for kids whose favourite piece of play equipment remains their own two feet.

Location: 61 Tambourine Bay Road, Riverview

Comenarra Reserve Playground, South Turramurra

Comenarra Reserve's new playground gives North Shore kids a particularly good excuse to go climbing.

Its centrepiece is a sky tower and slide, joined by swings, talk tubes, climbing poles, a spinner and springers. Seating, fencing, bike racks and outdoor fitness equipment complete the upgrade, with playing fields and toilets nearby.

Location: 61A Comenarra Parkway, South Turramurra

Laurie Ferguson Water Playground, Merrylands

Sydney's playground haul isn't limited to dry land.

The revamped Laurie Ferguson Water Playground at Granville Park now has a bigger water-play area and new creative and physical play features. Modern change facilities and toilets were added as part of the upgrade, which should make this one particularly appealing when Sydney switches the heater on this summer.

Location: Granville Park, 2 Montrose Avenue, Merrylands

Londonderry Park, Londonderry

Penrith's playground program delivered a beauty in Londonderry.

The expanded play space includes a multi-level play tower, double-bay swings, boulder climbing, a multi-user spinner and an inclusive rocker, plus a junior play area with water play. New shade, seating, accessible paths and a picnic shelter round out the upgrade, with Indigenous artwork incorporated into the space.

Location: 360 Carrington Road, Londonderry

Eltham Place Reserve, Heathcote

The Sutherland Shire has been busy too. Eltham Place Reserve reopened after two nearby ageing playgrounds were consolidated into one substantially improved play space.

The result includes slides, swings, a spinner, climbing equipment, a rocker, a balancing trail and stepping stones, and a loop path to make access easier. There's also a shade sail, picnic shelter and plenty of new seating.

Location: 8 Eltham Place, Heathcote

Two New Parks in Austral

Austral's exploding population finally started receiving some corresponding playground infrastructure, with the first of a much bigger pipeline of new parks opening.

Two new local play spaces opened in July, including one on Tenth Avenue (Local Park 22) and another on Sixth Avenue (Local Park 2), kicking off Liverpool Council's plan for a much broader network of parks across Austral.

And plenty more are coming, so western Sydney parents may want to keep Austral on their playground radar.

New Playgrounds Opening in Sydney Later in 2026

And Sydney isn't finished yet. Several particularly exciting projects are currently behind construction fencing.

Waverley Park's New Nature Play Area, Bondi

The existing Waverley Park playground is already impressive, but another chunk of the masterplan is due to land by September 2026.

Stage two brings a new wide embankment slide designed with wheelchair accessibility in mind, plus an adventure and nature-play area beneath an established fig tree. Older kids will be able to tackle rope climbing and an obstacle course, while the broader design adds sensory and water-play elements.

Location: Corner of Bondi Road, Park Parade and Birrell Street

Como Pleasure Grounds Playground, Como

This may be one of our favourite designs in the upcoming crop!

The waterfront Como Pleasure Grounds is getting a completely renewed district playground with a paddle-steamer-inspired play structure, a nod to the area's history. Swings, slides, climbing, and spinning equipment will surround it, and accessible play, a carousel, and a water-play element will also be added.

Construction is currently scheduled for practical completion in September 2026, just in time for spring playground missions.

Location: 2R-50R Cremona Road, Como

New Parramatta Playgrounds Opening in Spring

Parramatta has a cluster of playground replacements due around the end of winter and beginning of spring.

Elizabeth Macarthur Park in Telopea, Williams Reserve in Dundas and Rapanea Community Forest in Dundas Valley are all scheduled for new playgrounds around late August to early September 2026.

A little later, Marri Badoo Reserve in Rydalmere is undergoing an 11-week playground rebuild scheduled to wrap up in late September. Its new design is being softened with natural colours, native planting, sandstone stepping elements and landscaping to better connect it with the surrounding bushland.

Cooper Street Reserve All-Abilities Playground, Engadine

One of the most important playground projects underway in the Sutherland Shire is the next stage of Cooper Street Reserve's all-abilities playground.

Due for practical completion at the end of October 2026, the expansion adds a wheelchair-accessible swing, an inclusive flying fox with a harness seat and a low-intensity sensory zone. Accessible paths, park furniture and landscaping are also part of the project.

Location: 1148 Old Princes Highway, Engadine

Robertson Park Playground, Watsons Bay

Now this is prime playground real estate.

Robertson Park's waterfront playground is being completely reworked and is scheduled to reopen in November 2026. Kids are getting a tall climbing tower with rope nets and a giant tunnel slide, a smaller marine-themed structure, trampoline, monkey bars, sand play with a digger, an accessible spinner and a whopping five-bay swing.

Add sandstone logs, balance beams, sensory panels and harbour views, and we're predicting this one will be extremely popular.

Location: Robertson Park, Watsons Bay

Thornton Reserve, Woollahra

Over at Thornton Reserve, another substantial playground overhaul is underway with reopening scheduled for December 2026.

The new design has a 3-metre embankment slide, a multi-level play unit for younger kids, a curved climbing structure for ages six-plus, an accessible spinner, seesaw and new swings. Timber and sandstone elements, a dry creek bed and open lawn should help the finished playground feel less like equipment dropped onto rubber and more connected to its leafy surroundings.

Location: 89 Beresford Road, Bellevue Hill

Ken Birdsey Park, Schofields

This is another one to watch closely.

The enormous new 20-hectare Ken Birdsey Park is due to open in October 2026, and its playground alone covers approximately 2,500 square metres. Plans include a nature trail, pipe slides, sand play with little diggers, trampolines, timber-pole climbing and swings.

Beyond the playground there'll be sporting fields, barbecues, picnic facilities, fitness equipment and a 2.6-kilometre shared path. In other words, clear a decent chunk of your day.

Location: Corner of Shuttle Parade, Jerralong Drive and Sciberras Avenue, Schofields

Rosherville Reserve Nature Play, Mosman

Mosman's Rosherville Reserve is going down the nature-play route, with construction scheduled from August and completion targeted for December 2026.

The design uses sandstone, timber and nature-inspired equipment, keeping the footprint deliberately low-key so the playground sits comfortably within its bushy surrounds.

Location: McLean Crescent, Mosman

Lytton Street Park Playground

A new playground at Lytton Street Park is also scheduled to finish by December 2026.

Its custom play structure by FORGE features two towers connected through opportunities for climbing, sliding, hanging and crawling, while the broader park upgrade adds picnic shelters, barbecues, outdoor fitness equipment and landscaping.

Location: Lytton Street, Wentworthville

Scott Memorial Park, Austral

Austral's playground boom continues in December, when an inclusive new playground at Scott Memorial Park is currently scheduled for completion.

With 13 new parks in Liverpool Council's broader Austral pipeline, this certainly won't be the last time the suburb pops up on our new-playground radar.

Location: 380/390 Bringelly Rd, Austral

Koshigaya Park Playground, Campbelltown

Campbelltown is also working on one of Sydney's most distinctive playground designs.

The $2.5-million Koshigaya Park upgrade centres on an origami-crane-inspired play structure, celebrating Campbelltown's long-standing sister-city relationship with Koshigaya in Japan. The wider design incorporates climbing, sliding and interactive play alongside artwork and landscaping inspired by that connection.

The original completion target was mid-2026, but the project remains an active upgrade, so we'd check its status before making a special trip.

Location: Koshigaya Park, Campbelltown

Maroubra Beach Playground

Maroubra Beach is getting an even better reason to linger after a swim, with a major makeover planned for the popular playground at Arthur Byrne Reserve.

The beachy new design centres around a lifeguard-themed play tower with two slides, a climbing net and fireman's pole, alongside inclusive swings, a double flying fox and a sandpit with a wheelchair-accessible play table. The playground will also expand into the former outdoor gym area, with more trees, picnic tables and seating added around the play space. Randwick Council previously flagged construction for 2026, although it has not yet announced a firm opening date.

Location: 1/11 Marine Parade, Maroubra

New Sydney Playgrounds Coming in Early 2027

The playground boom rolls straight into next year.

Chiswick Park and Henry Lawson Park, Abbotsford

Two Canada Bay playgrounds are being rebuilt over the warmer months, with works at Chiswick Park and Henry Lawson Park expected to be completed over summer 2026-27, weather permitting.

Henry Lawson Park's new design includes an inclusive swing, an in-ground trampoline, and a multi-tower play structure, along with new paths, seating, and fencing.

Chiswick Park is also receiving new play equipment, along with improved shade, seating, pathways and landscaping.

Locations: 
Chiswick Park Playground: Bortfield Drive, Chiswick
Henry Lawson Park Playground: Abbotsford Parade, Abbotsford

George Cayley Reserve Playground, Punchbowl

Punchbowl's George Cayley Reserve is getting an entirely relocated playground designed for children aged 2 to 12.

The new position beneath mature trees should provide better natural shade and sightlines, while an accessible path, new seating and more inclusive active-play opportunities form part of the project. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with completion anticipated in early 2027.

Location: Torrens Street, Punchbowl

Schofields Park, Schofields

Schofields is clearly determined to become Sydney's playground capital!

Alongside the giant Ken Birdsey Park project, Schofields Park is undergoing its own redevelopment with a new inclusive children's play space, amenities, paths and extensive landscaping.

Current Blacktown Council project schedules point to completion around February-March 2027, so we'll be keeping an eye on this one as the new year gets closer.

Location: Corner of Shuttle Parade, Jerralong Drive and Sciberras Avenue, Schofields

Nature Play Space at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden

Already one of the loveliest places on the North Shore for letting kids loose in nature, Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden is getting a brand-new nature playground.

The existing playground will be transformed into a larger, inclusive nature play space designed for all ages and abilities. Plans lean heavily into the Wildflower Garden's bushland setting, using natural and recycled materials including sandstone, timber and loose-play elements, with activities built around climbing, balancing, tunnels, mounds, imaginative play, problem-solving and exploring.

A standout feature will be a custom play structure made from sandstone quarry blocks, while the wider design will take inspiration from the plants and animals found within the garden. There is no opening date as yet, but it looks to be on track to open in mid-2027.

Location: 420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives

Old Mans Valley Field of Play, Hornsby Park

Hornsby Park is only getting bigger, with the Old Mans Valley Field of Play now under construction as the next major piece of this enormous former-quarry transformation.

The $24.3-million recreation hub will add a new multi-purpose sporting field and generous green space, but the feature likely to get kids particularly excited is the dedicated pump-and-jump track. Designed for bike riders to tackle a series of rises, dips and jumps, it should give older kids and confident little riders another very good reason to pack their wheels. New walking connections, shelters, seating, landscaping, parking, toilets and change facilities are also part of the project.

Work is well underway, with the latest Hornsby Park project update forecasting completion in May 2027. It will also become the main entry and orientation point for Hornsby Park, connecting visitors with the growing network of trails, lookouts and recreation spaces across the precinct.

Location: Old Mans Valley, Hornsby Park, Hornsby

Rushcutters Bay Park Playground

One of Sydney's prettiest harbourside playgrounds is in line for a major makeover, with Woollahra Council planning a more inclusive play space at Rushcutters Bay Park.

The draft design adds plenty for bigger kids, including a nature-inspired rushes climbing tower with a two-metre slide and climbing net, while younger children will get their own cubby tower and smaller slide. There are also plans for an accessible in-ground trampoline, a three-bay swing set, sandstone climbing elements and a stream-style water-play area complete with sandstone fish. More shade, native planting and a more accessible entrance should make the waterfront playground even easier to settle into for a long play.

If everything stays on track, the playground should reopen in autumn 2027.

Location: 2A New South Head Road, Edgecliff

Blenheim Park, North Ryde

It won't quite make the beginning of 2027, but this project is too big to leave off the list!

Work is underway on a major transformation of Blenheim Park, including a new regional playground with a forest-and-creek theme. Plans include treehouses, climbing equipment, sand and water play, slides, swings, a flying fox, trampolines and a nature-play trail complete with crocodiles. An accessible scooter path will weave through the area, with new picnic and barbecue facilities nearby.

The full Blenheim Park project is currently scheduled to be finished by July 2027.

If the finished playground looks anything like the plans, North Ryde families are going to have a very good winter!

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About ellaslist

ellaslist is a trusted local guide for families across Sydney and NSW, written by parents and family lifestyle editors who understand what makes an outing with kids genuinely work. Our team researches and curates the best family-friendly events, attractions, playgrounds, restaurants and school holiday activities, with practical details on age suitability, accessibility, parking, public transport, facilities and family-friendly tips.

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