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20 Top Parks for BBQ Dinners | Greater Parramatta Region

 We love making the most of warm, sunny nights by having a BBQ dinner at a local park. Here are 20 of our favourite spots. We hope to see you over a BBQ soon! UPDATED: 20th October 2019

List of Top 20 Parks for Summer BBQ Dinners

The order of parks is based on a combination of what BBQ facilities are available (toilets and taps are important), how close the BBQs are to the playground (closer the better), how good the play equipment is for a hot summer evening (water play is great) and how nice the spot is.

1Dundas Park, Dundas Valley

Dundas Park is definitely our number 1 favourite BBQ dinner park! There’s both a water playground and other play equipment right next in front of the BBQ, under shade cloths. Plus, there is a large oval to fly a kite or kick a ball around and a path around the park great for riding on. And if you happen to not want to cook dinner on the BBQ, we often get pizza’s from Vulcano Pizzeria a short walk away.

2Livvi’s Place The Hills, Kellyville

There is something very stress relieving about being at a fenced playground with young kids! And when you add in a water playground, shade and BBQs it is a WINNER! The BBQs and picnic tables at Livvi’s Place the Hills are in the middle of the playground, near the water play area. There is a variety of play equipment for kids of all abilities. And additional shade sails were installed earlier this year.

3James Ruse Reserve, Parramatta

James Ruse Reserve has a large, shaded water playground that operates from 9am to 8pm, September to May. There is also a skate park and playground (not shaded) with swings, slides, rockers and rope climbing tower.

4Kissing Point Park, Putney

This is a gorgeous spot along Parramatta River and great for watching the sun set. Kissing Point Park is right near the Kissing Point ferry wharf and this is one of our favourite spots for a BBQ dinner in summer and where you will regularly find us.

5Lake Parramatta Reserve, North Parramatta

There’s so much to do at this natural oasis, just north of Parramatta. Lake Parramatta Reserve is popular for bushwalking, playing, picnicking and now water activities – swimming, canoeing and paddle boating. There are two sets of BBQs – one up near the toilets and playground and the other is near the swimming area with covered picnic tables overlooking the water. Note: the gates close at 7:30pm during daylight saving.

6Putney Park, Putney

Putney Park is a fantastic park, found along Parramatta River in Putney. There is a great, free water play area suitable for young children. Unlike the other water playgrounds, this is more like toddler pools. There are no water fountains and tipping buckets, just two shallow pools connected by a pebble creek bed. There are also two other playgrounds in the park and two VERY large slides. Note: the vehicle gates close at sunset during daylight saving.

7Strathfield Park, Strathfield

Strathfield Park is our favourite ‘local’ playground, with all its fun play spaces and facilities. The challenge is getting the kids to sit still long enough to eat their dinner! Keep in mind that there are two big sections to the playground, on either side of the park, and both have BBQs.

8Memorial Park, Meadowbank

A popular park for social gatherings, Memorial Park is a short walk from Meadowbank Wharf and train station. It has views of Parramatta River, playground, war memorial, picnic areas and bushland. The playground consists of slides, climbing steps, a water pump with creek bed, swings, rope tunnel and more.

9Blaxland Riverside Park, Newington

Blaxland Riverside Park is a large and awesome park, best suited for kids 4yrs+. It has a fantastic water playground section as well, though there is no shade and it only runs from 10am to 4pm. Keep in mind it’s very popular so parking can be difficult but easier in the evening. There are BBQs along Parramatta River near the Armoury Wharf Cafe or at the back of the playground, near the secondary car park (first carpark, on your left, when you enter).

10Boronia Park, Epping

Boronia Park ticks almost all the boxes for a great park with young kids! Fab shaded playground with equipment for a range of ages, toilets, BBQs, picnic tables, bike/ scooter track, bush setting, gardens and exercise equipment. Just needs a water pump or water play area.

11Cabarita Park, Cabarita

Cabarita Park is a great place to visit with young kids! The park has 2 playgrounds and a swimming centre that faces Parramatta River. Plus the closest, swimmable ‘beach’ to Parramatta. We even saw a pod of dolphins one summer, which is a great sign that the water quality is good. The beach is about 200m long and full of shells and our favourite spot is at the opposite end to the ferry wharf. There are a few dual BBQs in the park, all overlooking the water.

12Upjohn Park, Rydalmere

Almost fully surrounded by houses, it would be easy to live right near this park and not know it exists….well unless you looked at Google Earth or your kids play sport there. The playground gets natural shade in the afternoon and there is a bike/ scooter track, plus exercise equipment and creek to explore.

13Crestwood Reserve, Baulkham Hills

This large park has two playgrounds, sports fields, community centre (with playgroup), bbqs, tennis courts and a new fab learn to ride track at the southern end.

14Lions Parks, West Ryde

This great playground on Victoria Road is easy to miss as you drive by seeing as it is hidden behind a line of trees. My boys love the sand pit and scooter track, particularly coming around the bend and down the little hill. There is a shade cloth over the sand pit and natural shade across the playground in the afternoon. The BBQs are right near the playground and the toilets are on the other side.

  • Facilities: Dual BBQ, picnic tables, grassed area, toilets, bubbler, garbage bins at opposite end of the park to the BBQs and off street parking.
  • Playground best suited: 1.5-8yrs
  • Address: 1141 Victoria Rd, West Ryde (car entry on Shaftsbury Rd)
  • More about Lions Park
  • Nearest Alternative BBQ: Darvall Park.

15Parramatta Park, Parramatta

Paperbark Playground

With new toilets recently open near Paperbark Playground, we’re excited to add it to our list! Plus when visiting Parramatta Park, you have the option of also visiting Domain Creek playground, Wistaria Gardens and the Rose Gardens.

  • Facilities: Dual BBQ, picnic shelters, grassed area, toilets, garbage bins near picnic tables and free 2hr parking.
  • Playground best suited: 2-12yrs
  • Address: Parramatta Park, entry via Pitt Street
  • More about Paperbark Playground and Domain Creek Playground
  • Nearest Alternative BBQ: There are lots of BBQs through Parramatta Park. Otherwise there are some next to the fenced playground at Ollie Webb Reserve.

16George Kendall Riverside Reserve, Ermington

George Kendall Riverside Reserve has the newest playground on this list and also the most number of BBQs. The new playground is shaded and has a great multi-purpose sports courts next door so good for kids of a range of ages. Plus the reserve is along Parramatta River so a nice spot to go for a walk after dinner.

17Banjo Paterson Park, Gladesville

Banjo Paterson Park is a gorgeous, hidden away spot along Parramatta River. The park got a new themed adventure playground towards the end of 2016 and there are bbqs and picnic tables nearby.

  • Facilities: Dual BBQ, covered and uncovered picnic tables, grassed area, toilets, tap at toilets, garbage bins near playground and off street parking.
  • Playground best suited: 2-8yrs
  • Address: Punt Road, Gladesville
  • More about Banjo Paterson Park
  • Nearest Alternative BBQ: Boronia Park in Hunters Hill.

18Phoenix Park, Rhodes

The colourful and artist inspired Phoenix Park features a wonderful medium sized playground as well as bbq and picnic spaces, iconic artwork and walkways, which are fantastic for kids on scooters and bikes. And it is walking distance to Rhodes train station. Plus the surrounding buildings provide a good amount of shade in the afternoon.

19Anderson Park, Ryde

Located in a lovely spot along Parramatta River, Anderson Park has a shaded, medium sized playground. There is a boat themed climbing play gym, swings, small rope climbing tower, rockers and twisters. The park is within easy walking distance of Meadowbank ferry wharf, near Ryde Bridge and Ryde wharf. It is along the Parramatta River Walkway so you can go for a ride or walk along the foreshore.

20ELS Hall Park, North Ryde

This large new nature inspired playground has a great mix of play equipment for a range of ages, including a water pump and channels. Plus both natural and sail shade. It’s next to the YMCA Ryde. And it’s near the old playground that you will find the BBQs and picnic shelter.

Special Mentions

21Ollie Webb Reserve, Parramatta

With it’s fun fenced playground, you would think Ollie Webb Reserve would make our top 20 list. But we just find is SUPER packed in the afternoon and so avoid it now. But there are BBQs just outside and toilets.

22Northbridge Baths, Northbridge

We have enjoyed a few BBQ lunches at the gorgeous, tranquil Northbridge Baths. But it’s not one I would visit for dinner unless you lived closer, with Sydney traffic being what it is.

23Eric Primrose Reserve, Rydalmere

The dual BBQs and picnic shelters at Eric Primrose Reserve are near Rydalmere ferry wharf. And are a great spot to watch the sun setting over Parramatta River. While there are now toilets nearby, they close at 6pm. So still not the best for a BBQ dinner during daylight saving.

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