Bicentennial Park, Homebush Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bicentennial Park |
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The fountain, located in the Bicentennial Park
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Type | Suburban parkland |
Location | Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Area | 40 hectares (99 acres) |
Created | 1 January 1988 |
Operated by | Sydney Olympic Park Authority |
Open | Sunrise to sunset |
Status | Open all year |
Bicentennial Park is a large park in Sydney, Australia. It covers about 40 hectares (that's like 100 football fields!). You can find it about 16 kilometers west of the main city center, in an area called Homebush Bay. This park is right on the edge of Homebush Bay and is part of the bigger Sydney Olympic Park. It's a special place because it has important wetlands and beautiful parklands.
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What Can You Do at Bicentennial Park?
Bicentennial Park is a great place for fun and learning. You can enjoy many outdoor activities here.
Fun Activities and Places to See
- Picnic Areas: There are lots of spots to have a picnic with your family and friends.
- Playgrounds: Kids can have a blast on the park's playgrounds.
- Paths for Walking and Cycling: You can walk, run, or ride your bike on the many paths.
- Lake Belvedere: This beautiful lake is a calm spot in the park.
- Special Monuments: Look for the Peace Monument, Treillage Tower, and a sundial. There's also a statue called 'Cyrus the Great'.
- Silent Hearts Memorial Garden: A quiet place for reflection.
- Water Features: The park has cool water displays, including the Brickpit Ring Walk.
- Powells Creek: A creek that flows through the eastern part of the park.
Exploring Nature and Wildlife
The park is home to amazing nature, especially its wetlands.
- Wetlands and Salt Marshes: These are areas where land is covered by water, often salty. They are very important for nature.
- Bird Hides: You can quietly watch different kinds of birds from special hiding spots.
- Homebush Bay Wetland: Many animals live in these salty wetlands. They are perfectly suited to this unique environment.
How Bicentennial Park Was Created
Bicentennial Park has an interesting history. It was made to celebrate a big event for Australia.
Celebrating Australia's Bicentenary
The park was created in the 1980s by the Australian and New South Wales governments. It was part of the celebrations for Australia's 200th birthday in 1988.
From Rubbish Dump to Park
Before it was a park, part of this land was actually an old rubbish dump! The project turned about 47 hectares of this old dump into a fun recreation area. They also worked to protect 53 hectares of important wetlands along the Parramatta River. The park officially opened its doors on January 1, 1988.