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Marri Badoo Reserve - Playground Replacement

Council looks after around 150 playgrounds throughout the Parramatta Local Government area, from big district parks to small local playgrounds. Marri Badoo Reserve in Rydalmere is a family-friendly local playground located at the end of Christina Street, set against bushland and the Ponds and Subiaco Creeks. It’s a tranquil spot for locals to enjoy the outdoors, and for kids to play and build confidence. As the equipment at this playground is reaching the end of its 20-year life, it’s time for a refresh to keep it safe and fun for everyone.

In July and August 2025, Council sought community input on the playground replacement design and potential relocation options for better access and passive surveillance. After considering community feedback, the playground will remain in its current location, and a draft concept design plan has been developed for a new playground at this site. The plan was placed on public exhibition in November 2025 and received positive feedback with suggestions to better integrate the playground design with its bushland setting through the use of natural materials, shapes and colours. Hence some changes were made to the draft concept design including:

  • Refined the playground equipment colours to tone in with the bushland (colours are shown in the playground equipment renders).
  • Added decomposed granite gravel areas with sandstone log steppers and informal sandstone block seating.
  • Added native planting beds to connect the playground footprint to the bushland edge and nearby native garden bed.
  • Reshaped the angular access footpath to a sweeping curve.
  • Moved one of the accessible seats to the other side of the playground to provide access to the new decomposed granite area.

To view the revised design, click the image below or download a copy of the revised concept plan under the Resource section.

Revised concept plan

 

Public exhibition - Now closed

The public exhibition period for this project is now complete with submissions for the draft concept plan closing at 5pm on Wednesday 26 November 2025.

Next steps

All submissions will be reviewed to help to refine the final design and documentation for construction. The playground will close for construction from early to mid-2026 and reopen once complete.

Frequently asked questions

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Each year a selection of playgrounds are included in Council’s annual Playground Replacement Program. Playgrounds are selected and identified from an annual playground safety audit report, informed by regular safety inspections of all playgrounds across City of Parramatta. A condition rating is calculated for each playground, which determines its priority within the Replacement Program. You can find further details on which playgrounds are due for an upgrade here https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/recreation/our-parks/park-upgrades

 

Marri Badoo Reserve playground is a local playground catering to children aged 0 - 12 years old.

 

Currently, the playground and park features:

 

  • Playing structure with slides, steps, bridges, steps, climbing frames, monkey bars, interactive panels and imaginative play elements  

  • Double swing with toddler seat and strap seat 

  • Single rocker 

  • Seats 

  • Picnic table and shelter 

  • Bin 

  • Retaining wall 

  • Garden bed 

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  • Possible playground relocation

  • New playground equipment  

  • New rubber softfall surfacing   

  • Updated seating with back rests and arm rests 

  • New picnic table 

  • New bin enclosure 

  • Accessible bubbler closer to playground 

  • Signage  

•    Lighting
•    Play equipment typically designed for older age groups (i.e. 13+ years) 
•    Toilet block 
•    Shade sail

Parramatta City Council operates a network of play spaces designed for various age groups. Some of the large playgrounds feature equipment suitable for a wide age range, including teenagers. Below is a list of some of those playgrounds in the Parramatta Local Government Area. 

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Preschoolers (0-5)

Junior (6-12)

Teenagers (13+)

Northmead Reserve

Yes

Yes

Yes

Frank Hayes Park, Wentworthville

 

Yes

Yes

Shannons Paddock, Wentworthville

 

Yes

Yes

West Epping Park

Yes

Yes

Yes

Halvorsen Park, Ermington

Yes

Yes

Yes

When replacing and upgrading playgrounds, Council aims to improve accessibility where possible focusing on elements which have been considered alongside the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play framework and principles. These elements include providing accessible equipment, surfaces, seating with armrests and access to playgrounds via pathways. To find out more and what playgrounds already have these elements, please visit Council’s website by clicking here.

We heard from 41 locals with feedback highlighting a strong desire for the playground to be modernised, safer, and more welcoming. There were calls for new and better-quality play equipment, improved visibility, and a more accessible layout with clear paths and safer surfacing. We are also working with care and sensitivity to ensure that the new playground blends in with its natural setting and is well situated on the site’s topography. 


1. Whilst some residents supported relocating the playground to a more open and visible site, a large proportion of residents (44%) preferred that the playground remain in its existing location at the end of Christina Street citing its established character and convenience. 

Design response: The new playground will be built at its existing location and a path connecting the playground to Christina Street will be considered in the future.

 

2. Children’s responses revealed a clear preference for active and imaginative play. The most popular features were swings, flying foxes, slides, and climbing equipment with opportunities for shared and adventurous play.

Design response: The concept design features plenty of swings, opportunities for climbing, a slide and approachable play equipment to make sure that younger children are able to play too. 

 

3. Families also asked for more seating, shaded areas, and social amenities such as picnic tables, BBQs, and bins. 

Design response: As part of the playground replacement there will be a new picnic shelter and picnic table setting as well as paved area with two new bench seats.

It is proposed that the new playground will have:

  • New picnic shelter and picnic table setting
  • Paved area with two new bench seats
  • Existing stone retaining wall retained
  • New climbing play equipment
  • New triple swing, with regular swing, infant swing and hammock
  • Potential future path connection to Christina Street
  • All existing trees to be retained and protected

Support levels for the three location options were:
•    End of Christina Street (Existing location): 44%
•    End of Elm Place: 24%
•    Corner of Kirby & Pine Streets: 27%

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Your language

Need an interpreter? Please phone TIS on 131 450.

If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, please contact the National Relay Service at relayservice.gov.au and provide them the City of Parramatta contact number, 1300 617 058.

Fact box

What does Marri Badoo mean?

What does Marri Badoo mean?

Marri Badoo is a local Aboriginal name, meaning many waters in the local Dharug language and recognises the chain of ponds and springs that flow through the reserve to form The Ponds Creek, Subiaco Creek, and their tributaries. 

Map

  • Location of Marri Badoo Reserve Playground
    View
  • Street view of the playground
    View

Resources

Timeline

  • icon
    25 June - 16 July 2025

    Stage one community consultation 
  • icon
    August - November 2025

    Review community feedback and design playground replacement
  • icon
    12 - 26 November 2025

    Public exhibition of the playground design draft concept plan 
  • icon
    Late 2025 - Early 2026

    Review of community feedback and finalisation of concept plan
  • icon
    Early - Mid 2026

    Existing playground closed for construction

Contact us

Need an interpreter? Please phone TIS on 131 450.

If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, please contact the National Relay Service at relayservice.gov.au and provide them the City of Parramatta contact number, 1300 617 058.