Penistone Park in Greenwood is a big, leafy community park that combines a fun Playground with serious sports facilities, making it a great spot for active families. Surrounded by tall gum trees, the Playground blends traditional equipment with nature play elements, so there’s plenty to keep a mix of ages entertained.
The main Playground is set in sand and centres around a traditional climbing structure. Children can test their skills on the double rope ladder that feels a bit like boarding a ship, before moving across to bars for swinging, steps, a tunnel, a rope bridge, a fireman’s pole and a taller bumpy slide. Confident climbers will love the challenge of the rope features and bridge, while younger kids can stick to the smaller slide and tunnel.
Within the sandpit there’s a two-seater spring rocker and an interactive sand funnel. Kids can plug the funnel, fill it, then unplug to watch the sand spin a paddle wheel as it flows down. Bringing along buckets, spades and toy trucks is a great idea, as there’s lots of sand to dig and build in.
Moving away from the sand, the neighbouring nature play zone is laid with bark chips and dotted with balancing logs and a wooden “tent” cubby. Children can clamber, balance and invent their own games here, making it a nice contrast to the more structured play equipment.
A nearby birds nest swing is perfect for group swinging or for little ones who like a secure seat, and there’s also a smaller butterfly-shaped spring rocker set in soft-fall rubber for gentler landings.
Penistone Park is well set up for families wanting to stay a while. A barbecue with two hot plates and an attached covered picnic table is located right beside the Playground, ideal for sausage sizzles and casual birthday parties. Another shaded picnic table can be found near the tennis courts, providing extra seating options for gatherings or for watching older kids play sport. With plenty of open grass, tall trees and a relaxed suburban feel, it’s a good spot for a weekend catch-up with friends.
Adding a quirky touch to the space is ‘Little Ben’, a small tower artwork made from wired-together bins. Created by artist Phil Gamblen, it’s a playful tribute to London’s ‘Big Ben’. The structure chimes the time on the hour and quarter hour between 9am and 5pm, using clunks and thumps that sound a bit like the bins being taken out. It’s unusual, a bit cheeky, and fits right in with the park’s character.
Beyond the Playground, Penistone Park is a busy sporting hub. There are tennis courts, two large ovals, basketball hoops and batting cages for softball. The main oval caters for football, softball, cricket and lacrosse, making it a versatile venue for local clubs and weekend sport. A second, smaller grassed area on the opposite side of the clubhouse is popular with dog walkers and is a handy spot for kids to kick a footy or have a run around while still being close enough for parents to supervise from the Playground area.
Concrete paths connect both carparks, loop past the clubrooms and run around the Playground, so it’s worth bringing scooters or bikes. Kids can do laps or practice riding while siblings play, and the paths make it easy to move prams and picnic gear around the park.
The only notable downside is the lack of clearly visible public toilet facilities right by the Playground itself. Toilets are available within the clubrooms, but these may not always be open to the public outside of sporting events or club activities, so it’s wise to plan ahead, especially with toddlers in tow.
Overall, Penistone Park offers a great mix of play opportunities, space to ride and run, and proper sporting infrastructure. It’s an excellent option for families with kids of different ages who want a park that can keep everyone active and happy.
Penistone Park
Address: Penistone Street, Greenwood, WA 6024
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