Dixon Park Nature Playground, Hamilton Hill

Dixon Park in Hamilton Hill is a much-loved local nature Playground set amongst mature trees, fruit trees and native bushland, making it feel like a little bush adventure right in the suburbs. Located on a quiet street in Hamilton Hill, it combines a fantastic nature play space with a large oval, half basketball court and BMX pump track, so there’s plenty to keep kids of all ages busy for a few hours.

The centrepiece of the Playground is a large timber fort built around established trees, providing lots of natural shade. Kids can reach the top in a number of ways – climbing a rope ladder or cargo net, using the log ramp with rope rail, tackling log notches, or taking the wooden stairs.

Once up there, they’ll find monkey bars and a fireman’s pole, which many children enjoy trying to climb as much as they enjoy sliding down.

Around the fort, an informal obstacle course of stepping logs, rope balance beams and a wobbly wooden bridge invites kids to race their friends and test their balance and coordination.

Water and sand play is a real highlight at Dixon Park and is usually where children gravitate on warm days. A pump-operated water feature sends water trickling down through channels and into small dams in the sandpit below, perfect for building waterways, experimenting with mini dams and, inevitably, getting deliciously muddy. Bringing a change of clothes and a towel is a good idea if you have a little water lover. Soft fall surfaces, including sand, woodchips and some rubber matting, help cushion tumbles around the more challenging play areas.

There’s plenty here for a range of ages. As well as the main fort and water play, you’ll find a birds nest swing, a standard swing with a toddler seat, a fun little roundabout that can fit several kids both inside and on the outside rail, a polished concrete slide, a tunnel and even a “hamster wheel” style spinner that older kids especially seem to enjoy. The variety of zones means toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children can all find something at their level, while still having space to play together.

For families planning a longer visit, Dixon Park is well set up for picnics and casual gatherings. There are free gas barbecues, shaded picnic tables and lots of natural shade from the large surrounding trees, as well as plenty of lawn for picnic rugs. A drinking fountain and rubbish and recycling bins are provided.

The large adjoining oval, complete with football goal posts, is ideal for a kick of the footy, a game of cricket or just running off extra energy, and the adjacent half basketball court is great for older kids and teens.

On the far side of the oval you’ll find a BMX pump track, so it’s well worth packing bikes or scooters if your kids are into riding.

One thing to be aware of is that there are currently no public toilets on site, which can be a drawback if you’re visiting with younger children or planning to stay for a while. If you’re driving in rather than walking from the neighbourhood, street-style parking is available along Ommanney Street and nearby streets, though there are no formal car bays.

Dixon Park Nature Playground has grown into a real community hub, popular with mothers groups during the day and with local families after school and on weekends. With its mix of nature play, water and sand fun, sports facilities and the BMX track, it’s a great all-round destination for a relaxed play date, a weekend catch up with friends or a simple outdoor adventure close to Fremantle.

Dixon Park Nature Playground

Address: 9–11 Ommanney Street, Hamilton Hill, WA 6163
Official information: City of Cockburn – Parks & Reserves

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