Tucked into the New Junction redevelopment in the heart of Midland, Weeip Park has quickly grown from a “new” Playground into a much-loved community hub. Just a short stroll from Midland Gate Shopping Centre and the Cale Street café strip, this large public open space combines a nature-inspired Playground, youth zone, kick-about oval and public art celebrating local history and culture, all in one spot.
The park is named in honour of Weeip, the traditional leader of the Boora clan (Boya Ngura people), who was responsible for much of the City of Swan area during early European settlement. In 1834 he negotiated a landmark truce with Governor James Stirling in an effort to protect his people and improve relations with the settlers.
The children’s Playground is a big drawcard. It is sand-based and has a strong nature theme, with logs, rocks and gentle levels to scramble over, plus cubby-style structures and balancing challenges. A tall slide tower provides a big-kid thrill, while a smaller toddler-friendly slide and corral area mean younger children have their own defined, safer space to play. The whole space feels like an oversized “backyard” designed for community play, with room to explore rather than a compact, fenced suburban Playground.
Scattered throughout the Playground are larger-than-life insect sculptures, inspired by species found in the local area and across south-west WA. Kids can hunt for creatures such as jewel beetles, Dawson’s burrowing bees, spoon-winged lacewings and Western Jewel butterflies, all reimagined as climbable, touchable play pieces. These artworks are more than just decoration; they’re part of a broader “Insects of New Junction” theme that encourages children to notice the smaller inhabitants of our bush and urban landscapes. Families can extend the experience with the Nature Play WA “Play Trails” app, which includes a play trail for the habitat play space, with site-specific content and challenges to complete on your phone or tablet.
Beside the Playground is the redeveloped Midland Oval, now a generous green kick-about lawn framed by terraced seating and shady groves. This open expanse is ideal for ball games, cartwheels or simply spreading out a picnic rug while children move between the grass and the play equipment. Around the oval, public art and interpretive panels highlight Midland’s sporting history, reflecting the days when the site hosted everything from footy to cycling and Highland Games. A shared path loops the oval, perfect for younger children to practise on bikes and scooters away from traffic.
Older kids and teens are well catered for in the dedicated youth area. Here you’ll find climbing walls, a “hit-up” wall, a basketball half-court and other street-style equipment that feels more like an urban hangout than a traditional Playground. There is room to kick back with friends as well as get active, and the space has been designed to tie into Midland’s broader youth scene, including events and activations around New Junction. The colour and design touches – including references to Midland’s sporting heritage – give the area its own identity, separate from but connected to the more whimsical children’s play zone.
Weeip Park places a strong emphasis on trees and planting, which makes a real difference on hot days. Across the wider New Junction precinct, thousands of seedlings and over 200 trees have been planted, with a mix of local natives such as wandoo and salmon white gum alongside ornamental species like crepe myrtles and a feature jacaranda. In the park itself this translates to a growing canopy of shade and a softer, greener feel than you might expect in the middle of a busy town centre. As the trees mature, the park will only become more comfortable for long summer play sessions.
Practical facilities have been built in from the start. Toilets are located within the park and are fitted with self-locking mechanisms; their opening times are adjusted seasonally to match typical park use. Families can also take advantage of the surrounding urban setting: Midland Gate is right next door for coffee, snacks or a supermarket top-up, and there are plenty of nearby cafés and eateries if you’d prefer to eat out rather than picnic.
With its mix of nature play, art, history, youth facilities and a big green oval, Weeip Park offers something for all ages in one central, easy-to-reach location. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick play after shopping, meeting friends for a picnic, or using the park as a starting point to explore Midland’s public art and heritage trails, it’s a vibrant and meaningful addition to Perth’s growing list of destination Playgrounds.
Weeip Park
Address: The Crescent, New Junction precinct, Midland WA 6056 (City of Swan)
Opening hours: Public open space – accessible daily; toilet facilities are self-locking with times adjusted seasonally
Official website: New Junction – Play Areas & Active Spaces
Location
Place Categories: Nature, Fitness Equipment, Playgrounds, Near Cafes, With Shade, and With Toilets
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I wouldn’t let your kids use the slide, our daughter grazed her arm pretty bad when she went down. Not what you expect from a new playground.