Planning a kids’ birthday party? Looking for a fun morning out? ELS Hall Park is a lovely, nature-inspired park with a fantastic array of interesting play equipment that is suitable for all ages. With easy parking, coffee, toilets, shade and even a dog park and bike track, it ticks all the boxes. Clare Kent from Beecroft took her two daughters for a play and shares her review.
With an adventurous 10 year old and timid 6 year old, it is difficult to find a playground that will keep them both happy. Enter ELS Hall Park which has become a must-visit for us whenever we are in the area. The park has everything we could want and more. Plenty of space, interesting, nature-inspired play equipment, toilets, free BBQs, free parking and even coffee nearby. Here’s what we found.
Getting to ELS Hall Park
ELS Hall Park is an amazing area that is more than just a playground. It is better described as a large, green, community space with a nature-inspired playground, sporting complex, sporting grounds and grassy area perfect for having a picnic or just lazing around. Complete with an enclosed dog park, it’s a great day out for the whole family.
The main car park is on Kent Road, which is next to the Ryde Community Sports Centre. This carpark can get pretty crowded at times. There is a secret carpark at the end of Aldephi Road. This car park is adjacent to the top part of the playground which has a zipline.
If your kids don’t mind walking, the park is about a 20-minute walk from the Macquarie University Metro station. Walking back from the park might be an issue, however, as there is a steep hill you would need to climb.
ELS Hall Park Overview
The park never seems to get too crowded even when sports are being played on the adjacent oval. We can easily spend a few hours here. And if friends are with us, we’ll pack a picnic and eat it on the large grassy area next to the play equipment.
The playground has three distinct areas and is adjacent to a large, synthetic oval that is often used for organised sports. All areas of the park are connected by paths that are very pram friendly, and there are also bubblers and seating dotted throughout the park. As the park was upgraded in 2018, the playground equipment is newish and well maintained.
The zipline offers plenty of fun
For my kids, the main attraction is the zip line. They can easily spend half an hour, or even longer if they make a friend while waiting in line for their turn.
Some of the playground has shade sails. This includes the toddler slide and part of the adult gym equipment. There are also some mature trees dotted around the park.
Bring a hat just in case your child takes a shine to an area that is not well shaded. The zip line, for example, doesn’t have much shade and the area gets very hot in the middle of the day.
Play area for older kids
The top part of the park is better suited to older kids or more adventurous younger ones. It has the zip line, the two big slides, and the rope bridge. The top part of the park is also right next to the Adelphi Road carpark and the fenced dog park.
Big slide number 1 – perfect for adventurous kids
Second tunnel slide, with a climbing wall for active kids
Rope bridge
The egg-shaped cubbies, which kids will love to climb all over, and the two sets of swings are also located in the top part of the park.
Egg-shaped cubbies are perfect for climbing in or over
The swings overlook the oval
You can even bring their bikes and scooters along to race around the oval!
Play area for toddlers
The middle part of the park caters more for younger kids/toddlers. It has a small water play area with a pump (although my 9 year old loves it, too) and the toddler slide, climbing net and balance beam.
The water pump is a hit
Toddler slide with a small climbing net behind
In keeping with the natural theme of the park, most of the playground is covered in bark, although there is some soft play turf covering the toddler area.
Play area for climbers
The bottom part of the park contains the largish climbing structure which is more suitable for older kids. There is also an outdoor gym that parents with more independent kids could use to get a sneaky workout in. The BBQs and two tables with shelter are also located in the bottom part of the park.
The large climbing net is great for older kids
There’s even a workout spot for the parents
The bottom part of the park is also right next to Kent Road/ Community Sports Centre car park.
Plan your trip…
It’s obvious the council has put a lot of effort into making it a space that everyone can enjoy. There is plenty to keep all members of the family entertained – even the family dog! You’ll find families picnicking and playing frisbee on the grassy area, kids tearing around on scooters and bikes, adults getting a workout in on the outdoor gym equipment, and kids exploring all the fun equipment the playground has to offer. You’ll also spot plenty of parents dotted around the large oval watching their kids play soccer.
Plenty of grass area for a picnic or party
The park would also be a fantastic location for a party. The large undercover area with tables and a BBQ could easily accommodate a party of 20.
The park also contains:
- 2 BBQs
- 2 undercover tables which would be perfect for a party
- Uncovered tables and more seating
- Toilets
- Outdoor gym equipment
- Baseball field
- Oval
- Bubblers
- Large grassy area
- 2 free parking areas
- Enclosed dog park
- Bike path that goes right around the oval.
The toilets are located outside the YMCA entrance (near the bottom car park). You can buy coffee and snacks inside the YMCA.
The only downside of the park is that it is not enclosed or fenced. You definitely need to keep an eye on little ones, especially around the bottom car park as this can get busy. If you have kids of different ages with different interests, it is hard to keep eyes on all of them as the park is so sprawling.
What’s around ELS Hall Park?
With the largish green space right next to the play equipment, ELS Halls Park is perfect for a picnic.
Otherwise, the Sporting Complex sells snacks and coffee. But if you want lunch, I recommend going to Macquarie Centre where there are endless lunch options.
The Ranch Hotel is also nearby on Herring Road which caters well for hungry kids.
If your kids still have energy to burn, you might want to go for a bike ride along the Shrimpton’s Creek Bushwalk and Cycleway. An entryway for the cycleway is also on Kent Road.
Essential Details: ELS Hall Park
- Address: 109A Kent Rd, North Ryde NSW 2113
- Council: City of Ryde
- Parking: 2 free car parks
- Toilets: Yes
- Facilities: Public toilets within the park, BBQ facilities, benches. picnic tables, water bubblers
- Sunshade: Some of the playground has shade sails
- Enclosed: No
- Seats: Tables
- Nearby Refreshments: Plenty of cafes and shops nearby
