A Mega Mangrove Tower Playground Coming to the Parramatta River

There's a big new green space taking shape on the Parramatta River, and it's shaping up to be one of the biggest additions to Sydney's family parklands in years.

Central Park is the centrepiece of the $5 billion Melrose Park urban renewal precinct, and as of early September 2026, it's in the final stretch of construction with a brand-new playground taking centre stage.

Where is Central Park at Melrose Park?

Melrose Park sits on the Parramatta River, about 17km north-west of the Sydney CBD, split across the City of Ryde and City of Parramatta council areas. Central Park is the green heart of the broader Melrose Park masterplan, being built by Sekisui House Australia in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, with landscape contractor Co-Ordinated Landscapes doing the work on the ground.

The park covers around two hectares and sits alongside two other new green spaces in the precinct, Wharf Road Gardens and Western Parklands. Together, all three add up to more than 52,000 square metres of open space across Melrose Park.

What's Coming to the New Playground

The star of the show is a bespoke playground built around a structure called the Mangrove Tower, designed to echo the mangrove habitat along the nearby riverbank. Around it, families will find an extensive play area with water play, shady promenades, open lawns, gardens, and BBQ and picnic spots. New footpaths, concrete seating, and cobblestone paving are also being laid throughout the park.

Construction Timeline and Opening Date

According to Sekisui House's latest construction update, major works across Central Park, footpaths, seating and paving among them, were around 80% complete as of 8 September 2026. The playground equipment, including the Mangrove Tower, is also nearly finished.

Next up is landscaping, with tree planting, turf and understorey planting running from late September through to the end of October 2026. The developer is targeting completion for the end of November 2026.

What Else is Happening at Melrose Park

Central Park is part of a much bigger transformation in the area. Melrose Central opened nearby in August 2026, bringing a Coles-anchored shopping centre, a food hall and family entertainment venue iPlay. A new high school is planned for the area in 2027, and residential stages Dawn and Aeris are still underway. Residents also get a free shuttle service to Meadowbank Station, with Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 set to connect to the precinct down the track.

Good to Know

Central Park isn't open to the public yet. Completion is targeted for the end of November 2026 - we can't wait!

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