FAQs Parks & Public Open Spaces
Quick Facts about the City’s network of parks, public open spaces, trees and outdoor recreation.
- Parks and Public Open Spaces
- Playgrounds
- Outdoor Sport and Recreation
- Aquatic Centres
- Park Hire and Bookings
- Wet Weather Information
- Community Gardens
- Public Toilet Facilities
- Transport and Vehicle Access
- Tree Management
- Animals
- Lost Property
- Pesticide Use
Parks and Public Open Spaces
The City manages, over 400 parks and public open spaces, totalling about 188.5 hectares, which cater to a wide variety of passive and active recreational pursuits.
The City encourages and welcomes responsible use of our safe clean and healthy public open spaces. Visitors are requested to respect the safety and enjoyment of others sharing those places and neighbouring residents.
Visitor information about the City’s iconic parks, sports fields and selected neighbourhood and pocket parks. An A- Z listing of the City's major parks is available.
Within the boundaries of the City of Sydney some public parks and open spaces are under the executive control of various State Government agencies. These include parks within the Darling Harbour precinct and at the Rocks, controlled by the Sydney Harbour Foreshores Authority, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain, and Centennial Parklands.
Playgrounds
The City provides locally accessible, child-friendly playgrounds to meet the needs of the younger members of our community. The City’s well maintained playgrounds include a range of equipment from traditional swings and slippery dips to state of the art structures designed to stimulate creative development and playgrounds designed to meet the needs of children living with a disability.
Information about individual playgrounds including types of equipment and other amenities.
Outdoor Sport and Recreation
The City’s network of sports ovals, sports fields and courts cater to a range of sporting codes and recreation groups. Information about opportunities for outdoor sports facilities is listed alphabetically by sport here.
Aquatic Centres
The City’s outdoor and indoor aquatic centres cater to the needs of all the community from paddling pools to lane swimming and aquatic fitness programs.
Park Hire and Bookings
Approval is required to stage corporate, community or private events such as weddings and naming ceremonies. Bookings are required to hire sports fields and ovals, sports fields, and tennis courts.
Bookings are not required to hold a family picnic in the park. BBQ units are available to use free of charge at many iconic and neighbourhood parks. Visitors are requested to dispose of their rubbish responsibly in the park bins provided.
More information or bookings >>
Information for Film Production & Still Photography >>
Wet Weather Information
The City maintains a 24-hour Wet Weather Information Line to inform hirers and users of the status of sporting fields - 02 9246 7708.
Weather forecast information.
Community Gardens
Community gardens are a unique form of public open space managed by the community, where people can seek self sufficiency and build community spirit and a shared purpose cultivating community land. The City will continue to support and expand the community garden network on a consultative basis.
Detailed information about the community gardens network.
Public Toilet Facilities
Many larger parks have public toilet facilities open during daylight hours. A comprehensive public toilet map is available for download and further detailed information about the toilet network is available.
Transport and Vehicle Access
Many parks are located conveniently close to public transport including, bus, rail or light rail.
Vehicles are not permitted to enter parks without prior written permission.
Email: openspacebookings@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Racks and rings for bicycle parking are available at many major parks.
Tree Management
The City’s trees are important urban assets which provide a multitude of environmental, aesthetic, cultural and economic benefits. The quality of our urban tree canopy is continually enhanced through planned tree planting and management and maintenance regimes.
Detailed information about the City’s urban tree canopy, street trees and trees on private land.
Animals
Native Fauna
Urbanisation of Sydney has impacted on plant and animal species and their habitat. The City is creating and managing parks and streetscapes to protect and enhance natural systems. Native plant species are encouraged and planted where appropriate to provide food and habitat for native birds and wildlife.
The City’s parks are home to a wide range of native and visiting animals, fish, birds, insects and other creepy crawlies. While these natural inhabitants contribute to the visitor experience, these animals are wild and should not be touched, fed, or provoked.
In the interest of public health and animal welfare, visitors are requested to refrain from feeding pigeons, ibis or other park birds, in the interest of public health and animal welfare as it reduces the birds’ ability to hunt for natural food sources, and encourages unwanted scavenging behaviour.
If you find an injured animal, please contact WIRES to assist: www.wires.org.au or phone 1300-0-WIRES or 1300 094 737; or Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Service on 02 9413 4300.
Dog Walking and Off-Leash Parks
Dogs must remain on-leash in all public areas with the exception of sites which have been designated as off-leash areas.
The City encourages responsible dog ownership and provides a network of locally accessible off-leash areas for the welfare of dogs and their owners.
Owners are required to have effective control over their animals at all times, including when off-leash in designated off-leash areas.
Dogs are not permitted in playgrounds, wetlands or fish ponds and should not be allowed to chase other animals or people sharing our parks.
Lost Property
Parks staff will routinely hand any lost property to the local police. Please contact the nearest police station to enquire about property lost within a park.
Pesticide Use
The City of Sydney ensures that pesticides of the lowest necessary toxicity are applied to public places in a safe, responsible manner, minimising potential harm to the community and the environment.
The City controls weed species within the public domain and offers information and education to residents. We work with other government agencies and major land owners, land care groups to ensure major weed sources in the area are controlled.
Further information about pesticide use and the City’s pesticide notification plan.
Last Updated: Monday 10 October, 2011
