The new and improved Bradbury Park at Kedron is open for business. This sprawling greenspace is now home to a looped scooter track with heaps of fun and challenging obstacles and the much talked about mystical Magic Forest. There is also outdoor fitness equipment, a small playground and a fenced dog off-leash area, not to mention plenty of places to play with a ball, run around or have a picnic.
Description of Bradbury Park playground
This playground is incredible! Built as one gigantic fort, it will literally take the play of Brisbane Kids to new heights. With a staggering number of nets, ropes and all manner of things to climb, this park is extremely well-suited to children who love to scale challenging obstacles.
Every surface at Bradbury Park has footholds and handgrips encouraging climbing. These are different to things typically found in a playground. Metal ledges leading up the inner walls, random ropes and elevated beam crossings are sure to test the skill and ability of even the most proficient climber.
Glimpses of colour are injected from brightly coloured windows, contrasting the black industrial design. The rainbow-coloured, twirling tunnel slide is accessed from the highest point within the fort. Although the entry is extremely high, it is enclosed, so even younger children can climb safely to the top of this slide.
The space is also ample enough for parents to accompany little ones on their journey to the summit.
The size and spacing of much of the equipment make it better suited to children over 5, and the design makes it difficult to see children playing inside the structure. However, underneath there is a section just for toddlers to explore, with a mini cliff climber and wide slide at the top of a soft fall mount.
Surrounding the main fort at Bradbury Park are grassy spaces, picnic tables, BBQs and balancing obstacles much closer to the ground. There is an impressive scooter track that includes several challenging obstacles. You’ll also find a basketball half-court and a fully fenced dog park.
Feedback on our Facebook page has many parents concerned about the risks being undertaken at this playground. It is a playspace that lends itself to older kids, not unlike Frew Park’s parkour elements.
What we would say to this, is that there are hardly any Brisbane playgrounds for older kids much less teenagers and we are so excited to see a playground encouraging outdoor play in this older cohort.
Many parents are clearly concerned about the risk- and it’s perfectly normal to be cautious. This playground may not be for all parents and all kids but we would encourage some further research on risk and reward for kids and play and the potential adverse outcomes in being too safe in play and equally the rewards in risk and play.
We recommend dressing the kids in older clothes as due to the age of the playground there is some transfer of black rubber.
Bradbury Park scooter track
This purpose-built scooter track at Bradbury Park is approximately 200m long, with many obstacles. You will find The Moguls, The Side Ramp, The Boulders, The Tunnel and The Pyramid, just to name a few. There is even an open door, which you can scoot through, should you choose to accept the challenge.
A large portion of the track is ideal for toddlers, with an additional part of the track suitable for the more confident and older children. Whilst the track is designed with scooters in mind, skateboards, bicycles and other non-motorised wheeled craft are welcome.
The track is surrounded by many grassy areas and is not close to the road, which is great if your little one veers off course! Park benches are dotted around the track, or alternatively, you can bring a picnic blanket and sit under the shade of nearby trees.
There is a large, fully-fenced dog off-leash area not far from the scooter track, in case your four-legged friend wants to come along and have a run around.
Magic Forest
Enter the Magic Forest through the Magic Seahorse Window before exploring the rest of the woodland. This area is a wonderful nature play area suited to the younger children, utilising lots of logs, pebbles, sand and pre-existing trees to create a play space that is both inviting and surprising.
At every twist and turn there is a little gem waiting to be discovered, and with the majority of these being low to the ground, they are perfect for children to uncover. There are animals etched into logs, rocks with faces, a piano carved into a log, and quite a few brass animals scattered around the forest.
Children are free to roam the area however they please, though there is a sign at the beginning of the forest explaining the various components of the Magic Forest, including The Village, Old Man Owl Bridge and the Trail of Friendly Snails.
At the other end of the forest, you will find the Guardian Throne, where children can perch themselves and be king or queen of the forest. There are many photo opportunities throughout the forest, so be sure to bring your camera.
Whilst the Magic forest/playground and the scooter track are in the same park, they are actually about 200-300m apart, so keep this in mind when planning your visit. The Magic Forest is located on the southern side of the netball courts, whilst the scooter track is further south towards Kitchener Road.
Imagination Factor
This Brisbane Northside playground encourages children to play differently and think differently about how they interact with the space and the equipment. With metal ledges, hanging ropes and obstacles to jump over, under or through, parkour-style chasing games are ideal for this location.
Accessibility
Bradbury Park is surrounded by wide concrete walkways well suited to prams and people using mobility aids. The equipment here, however, would not be considered accessible.
Facilities and Amenities
- Climbing equipment galore!
- Rope nets
- Balance beams
- Cliff climbers
- Tunnels
- Ledges to climb and balance upon
- Tunnel slide
- Toddler’s wide slide
- Play base of rubber soft fall and bark
- Hand rings
- Unfenced playground
- Scooter track
- Covered and uncovered picnic tables
- BBQs
- Accessible toilets
- Concreted walking paths
- Basketball half-court
- Grassy areas
- Fenced dog park
- Car park and street parking
Reviews and Recommendations
We thought Bradbury Park was a sight to behold and is one of the best playgrounds in Brisbane. It is big, bold, and unique, unlike anything else we’ve seen in Brisbane. Our family enjoyed the many activities available, including the scooter track and the impressive parkour-style structure. We highly recommend Bradbury Park for a fun and active day out with the family.
How to get here
Bradbury Park is located on Batten Street in Kedron.
To find this park take Kitchener Road off Gympie Road, then turn right onto Batten Street. The car park is near the corner of Batten Street and Allan Street.
Another great park to explore is Huxtable Park and Playground in Chermside West.
More images of the playground
Frequently asked questions
- What are the opening hours of Bradbury Park in Kedron?
Brisbane parks like Bradbury Park in Kedron are open 24 hours a day in theory but lack the lighting for night time play. In otherwords, visit after sunrise and leave before sunset - Are dogs allowed in Bradbury Park in Kedron?
There are no restrictions on dogs in Bradbury Park except they remain on leash at all time except when in the adjoining fenced dog park. - Is there parking available at Bradbury Park in Kedron?
A visitor car park is near the corner of Batten Street and Allan Street
- Can I have a picnic or BBQ at Bradbury Park in Kedron?
Yes you can! Electric BBQ’s are onsite but there is also plenty of green space for a proper picnic making this a fantastic park for a birthday party celebration - Are there any sports fields or courts at Bradbury Park in Kedron?
There is a basketball half court - Are there any public events or activities held at Bradbury Park in Kedron?
Not that we are aware of but if this changes, we will add this to the Brisbane events calendar on this website. - How can I get to Bradbury Park in Kedron using public transportation?
Bus would be the easiest way. Visit TransLink for directions from your home.
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