Parks and open spaces

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The Yass Valley has a number of parks and open spaces that serve multiple purposes, ranging from inclusive playgrounds for children, sporting and recreation grounds, walking trails and green spaces offering tranquillity among new housing developments.

Parks and playgrounds are more than places for children to play, they provide meeting grounds for parents and carers, encouraging community interaction and providing children with opportunities for social and physical development.

Council aims to provide parks and playgrounds that are challenging, safe and fun for children of all ages. Currently, Yass Valley Council has 16 major parks and playgrounds, which are well distributed throughout the municipal area providing a range of varying play experiences. Other parkland and reserves exist throughout the LGA however are used for less organised leisure activities and generally contain no play equipment.

Banjo Paterson Park

Banjo Paterson Park is nestled behind the Library and Yass Memorial Hall with access from Comur Street, Meehan Street or Lead Street.

It was renamed in 1948 in honour of Australia’s famous writer and poet, Banjo Paterson. Paterson wrote many ballads and poems about Australian life, focusing particularly on the rural and outback areas, including the district around Binalong, New South Wales, where he spent much of his childhood.

A new all-abilities playground was installed in 2016. It provides access for wheelchairs onto the equipment platform, as well as a bird nest swing. The leafy sanctuary is in the perfect location, next to public toilets and the Library, close to cafes and restaurants and a hop, skip and jump away from the CBD. There is a bubbler, seating and bins provided onsite.

 

Coronation Park

The Yass Valley Information Centre is located at this beautiful park on the main street of Yass. It is very easy to find and an ideal place to stop rest and relax before continuing on your journey.

The park features a Liberty Swing, an Australian innovation that provides people in wheelchairs the joy of swinging. The swing was a made possible by a $25,000 community grant from regional telecommunications provider, Southern Phone. Installation was the joint initiative of Variety NSW, Valmar Support Services, Yass Rotary, Andalini Incorporated, Mr Keith Rosario and Yass Valley Council.

Coronation Park has clean public toilets, a baby change room and facilities for the disabled. There is parking available for cars, and in the side street for campervans, caravans, boat trailers or buses. There are free gas barbecues, picnic tables, seating and plenty of shade.

 

Riverbank Park

Riverbank Park is the picturesque centrepiece of the town with its contemporary Aboriginal murals, arches from the town’s early bridge, fitness stations, play equipment for the kids to enjoy and a designated walking path that surrounds the river.

The large playground is partly fenced for child safety and features a newly installed birds nest swing, thanks to a donation from ‘Haulin’ The Hume’ organisers. There are public toilets, free barbecue facilities, picnic tables and plenty of shade from the large leafy trees.

Riverbank Park also features open green space for recreational use and a heritage themed rotunda, a joint project between the Yass Lions Club and Yass Valley Council in 2017.

The walking track also leads to the Yass Off-Leash Dog Park, Yass High School and Yass Public. Some beautiful wildlife can be seen on this walk or from the park.

Neighbourhood Playgrounds

  • Henry Lawson Park - Pollux Street, Yass - features a fun pirate themed playground.
  • John O'Brien Park - Yeo Crescent, Yass - features a swing set and rocker and is within close proximity to the Walker Park Sporting Complex.
  • Townsend Place Park - Townsend Place, Yass - features a swing set, slide and see-saw. This park is undergoing improvements and the upgrade will include a seated area, increase a shaded play space and new play equipment.
  • Hatton Park - McKenna Ave, Yass - recently constructed playground consisting of a modular unit and swing set.
  • Boree Log Park - Weemilah Street, Yass - features a rocker and see- saw.

 

Village Playgrounds

  • Binalong Recreation Ground - Stephen Street, Binalong - features a modular unit with swing set. Other features include a covered BBQ, seating area and skate park.
  • Bowning Community Hall Grounds - Short Street, Bowning - features a modular unit with swing set.
  • Gundaroo Recreation Ground - Cork Street, Gundaroo - upgraded in 2016, this playground consists of a modular unit, talking tubes, surfboard rocker and swing set.
  • Murrumbateman - Jones Park - Barton Highway, Murrumbateman - consists of a set of swings and War Memorial garden.
  • Sutton Recreation Ground - Guise Street, Sutton - features a modular unit, swing set, spin pole and covered seated area.