Blatchford Sporting and Recreation Reserve | Murrumba Downs Park

If you want a fun place to visit, where the whole family can spend a couple of hours, then Blatchford Sporting and Recreation Reserve should be high on your list.

This large reserve in Murrumba Downs, on Brisbane’s northside, boasts a large multi-level play fort, pump track, outdoor fitness equipment, a fenced dog off-leash area and more. Whilst it is set in a suburban area, there is plenty of open space, where the kids can run wild, kick a ball, fly a kite or just laze about and enjoy the fresh air.

Blatchford Recreation Reserve Playground

Entering Blatchford Recreation Reserve via the main carpark on Goodfellows Road, you will find most of the amenities and the main playground.

Whilst the playground is unfenced it is not too close to the roads or carparks to cause major concern, though caution should always be exercised. Smaller children can be kept occupied with some play panels which are low to the ground and a variety of swings (toddler, adult and nest), while the bigger kids can climb the fort and slip down one of the many slides.

Next to the main playground you will find a generous picnic shelter with multiple picnic tables, two electric BBQ’s and of course, the all-important, accessible toilet facilities, which include a baby change table.

A large field is adjacent to the main playground and lends itself to ball games, running races or even kite flying. This is also where the cricket nets are located.

The next area in the Reserve contains an extensive range of outdoor exercise equipment including a BEEP test track, handball court and other fitness equipment. A full-size basketball court is beside this area and will be popular among the older children. There is also a netball half-court, table tennis table (BYO equipment) and another shaded picnic shelter.

If you happen to be in the area with your dog, they will be happy to run around in the large, fully fenced, dog off leash area.

At the far end of the Reserve, next to the dog park you will find the impressive pump track, which was added to the area in July 2022 (unfortunately the second smaller playground was removed to make way for this feature). The track is suitable for BMX’s, scooters, balance bikes etc and will see the kids zooming around and having fun (hopefully without too many injuries). 

Imagination Factor at Blatchford Reserve

Perhaps one of the most endearing features of this play space is the large open areas and a multitude of options when it comes to playing, exercising and having fun. Children can use their imagination by inventing running games, playing hide and seek or pretending to be the next sports star on the pump track. 

Accessibility at Blatchford Reserve

The main access point to the Reserve is via the Goodfellows Road carpark, which has two designated, accessible parking spaces. The carpark is connected to the picnic area, toilets and main playground via wide concrete paths. These paths loop around the playground and continue throughout the reserve, making most places accessible if you have a wheelchair, pram etc.

The main playground has sections of rubber base, making the swings, spinner and some parts of the fort easily accessible, though there is also bark around the equipment. 

There is plenty of shade throughout the Reserve provided by established trees, picnic shelters and shade sails.

Blatchford Sporting and Recreation Reserve features

• Playground (unfenced)
• Toilets (open between 5am and 8pm)
• Main Playground (partly covered by shade sails)
  • Rubber and bark base
  • Fort
  • Swings including toddler swing and nest swing
  • Climbing opportunities
  • Slides including a tunnel slide
  • Educational play panels
  • Accessible spinner
• Pump track
• Full-size basketball court
• Netball half-court
• Table tennis table (BYO equipment)
• Outdoor fitness equipment
• Cricket nets
• Lots of open green spaces
• Large, fenced, dog off-leash area
• Electric barbeques (free to use)
• Picnic shelters, rubbish bins and water fountains.
• Nearby to public transport
• On and off-street parking

Another great playground in the area is John Oxley Reserve

What We Thought of Blatchford Reserve

Any play space that caters for all the family immediately gets our tick of approval. The energetic 11 year old loves to kick the footy and run around in the open space, while the 9 year old prefers to play – slipping, sliding and swinging her way around the equipment. 

Having toilets, picnic shelters and different play spaces makes this a great park for an afternoon of fun. 

How to Get to Blatchford Reserve

Blatchford Sporting and Recreation Reserve is located on Goodfellows Road in Murrumba Downs. Ample off-street parking is available. 

For those wishing to use public transport buses do stop along Goodfellows Road, and the Kallangur Train Station is less than a 10 minute walk away (approximately 700m).

Goodfellows Road, Murrumba Downs Queensland 4503, Australia

More pictures of Blatchford Recreation Reserve