Rickman Delawney Reserve, Balcatta

Rickman Delawney Reserve in leafy Balcatta is a brilliant all‑rounder for families, with something to suit toddlers through to sporty teens. The park sits within a large green reserve with mature trees and wide open spaces. It is an accessible Playground with sail‑shaded play areas, picnic shelters and public toilets, making it an easy choice for a relaxed morning or afternoon out with kids of different ages and abilities.

The star attraction is the impressive rope tower and tube slide. Children climb a web of ropes up to a high, covered pod, then cross a rope bridge to reach the huge enclosed slide designed by Playground specialists Imagination Play. The slide itself wraps around in a spiral and features two clear sections, so it isn’t as dark or enclosed as many tube slides. Even slightly cautious kids tend to be won over once they realise they can still see out as they whoosh to the bottom.

Younger children are very well catered for too. Tucked just behind the main tower is a lower play structure that’s perfect for toddlers and kindy kids. Here you’ll find easy steps to climb, a small slide, a steering wheel for imaginative play, a tunnel to crawl through and a mini rock‑climbing wall.

Beside this sits a sand play station with a funnel and wheel – ideal for filling, tipping and experimenting. With the whole area set in soft sand, it’s worth bringing buckets, spades and a few toy trucks so little ones can happily dig, build roads and create sand castles while older siblings tackle the big tower.

One corner of the Playground is finished in rubber softfall and focuses on inclusive and sensory play. There are three swings – a birds‑nest style swing that works well for group play, plus two standard swings – along with a musical xylophone panel and a spring rocker.

A standout feature here is the all‑abilities spinner: its low, open platform has enough space for a small wheelchair or stroller to roll on, allowing children with mobility needs to join in the fun with friends.

Nearby, another zone features a dual parent‑child swing so an adult and younger child can swing face‑to‑face together, as well as colourful balance balls that are great for hopping, stepping and practising coordination.

Adding a touch of magic, Rickman Delawney Reserve is sprinkled with “fairy trees” – trunks with carved and painted doors and nature‑themed details hidden around the play area. Kids love hunting for them and inventing stories about the tiny creatures who might live inside. Shade is another big plus here: a combination of shade sails and established trees helps keep much of the play space cooler and more comfortable during the warmer months.

Beyond the Playground, the reserve offers plenty of room to spread out. There is a huge grassed oval with goal posts that’s perfect for a kick of the footy, cricket or just a good run, as well as netball and tennis courts close by for older children and teens who aren’t as interested in Playground equipment.

Pathways criss‑cross the park, providing flat, wide circuits that are ideal for scooters, little bikes, skates or prams. If you have a child who is just gaining confidence on wheels, this is a gentle, low‑traffic space to practise without needing to go near roads. Parents can stroll the paths while still keeping the Playground in sight.

Rickman Delawney Reserve is also well set up for picnics, parties and family gatherings. Close to the Playground you’ll find two shaded picnic shelters near a barbecue with two hot plates, plus another covered table area near the netball courts. The shelters beside the barbecues are decorated with a pretty butterfly design that ties in nicely with the whimsical fairy doors, giving the area a charming, family‑friendly feel. Public toilets are located between the courts and the barbecue area, and there is a drinking fountain nearby so you can refill water bottles easily. 

If you are planning a particularly large event – for example, more than 100 guests, or you’re bringing in a bouncy castle, animal farm, food truck or larger marquees – the City of Stirling may require a booking and hire fee for use of the reserve. For everyday family visits and small birthday picnics without commercial operators, the Playground, barbecues and shelters operate as public facilities on a first‑come, first‑served basis, so it’s simply a matter of turning up and staking out a spot.

On the practical side, the reserve is located on Rickman Street in Balcatta, between Lindisfarne Way and Cosgrove Street just off Main Street. There is free parking along Rickman Street as well as in the main car park.

Between the towering rope pod and tube slide, the thoughtful toddler area, the inclusive equipment and the wide‑open sporting spaces, families can easily spend an hour or two here without anyone getting bored. It’s a great option for after‑school play dates, weekend meet‑ups or school holiday catch‑ups, and a lovely example of a suburban Playground upgrade done really well.

Rickman Delawney Reserve, Balcatta

Address: 49 Rickman Street, Balcatta WA 6021
Opening hours: Public park (no formal opening hours listed; accessible daily)
Official website: City of Stirling – Rickman Delawney Reserve