Canning River Regional Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canning River Regional Park |
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Kent Street Weir
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| Type | Regional Park |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Area | 266 ha (660 acres) |
The Canning River Regional Park is a huge natural area in Perth, Western Australia. It's the biggest of eight special parks in the Perth city area. This park stretches for about 6 kilometers along both sides of the Canning River. The Canning River is a main branch of the Swan River. It's a great place to explore nature and have fun outdoors!
Park History
A Long Time Ago
When Europeans first came to Australia, Aboriginal people lived around the Swan and Canning rivers. Several Aboriginal family groups lived on the land that is now Perth.
European Settlement
When Europeans settled in Perth, the Canning River was very important. It was used to move logs from forests further south. These logs were then taken to Perth and Fremantle.
Over the years, people used the land in many ways. There were farms, orchards, and places that made bricks. People also grew vegetables and cut timber. Some parts were even used for rubbish. Today, the park helps protect this important history.
Nature in the Park
The Canning River Regional Park sits on a type of sand called Bassendean sands. This sand helps certain plants grow well here.
Fun Things to Do
Getting Around the Park
You can explore the park on special paths for walking or cycling. These paths help you enjoy nature. There are four marked walking trails to follow:
- Butterflies, Birds and Bridges Loop
- Woodloes Walk
- Banksia Hill Loop
- Lagoon to Living Streams
The local council and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) work together. They make sure the park has good places for visitors. They also protect the park's natural beauty. You can get into the park by walking, cycling, or even by boat or canoe. Some areas are also good for wheelchairs.
Kent Street Weir and Wilson Park
This part of the park has the most things to do. You'll find plenty of parking, toilets, and places to launch boats or canoes. There are also picnic areas with barbecues. An "eco" center here shares facts about the park's history and nature. It also hosts fun learning activities about the environment. You can cross the river using the Kent Street Weir Bridge or the Greenfield Street Bridge. These bridges let you reach many parts of the park.
Every year on Western Australia Day, the park has an open day. There are exhibits, activities for kids, and guided walks. Many activities are free, making it a great day out for families.
Leisure Activities
Every Saturday morning, you can join a free 5-kilometer timed run. It's called Canning River parkrun. It's a fun way to get active in the park!
Castledare Miniature Railway
The Castledare Miniature Railway is a special place. It has over 5 kilometers of tiny train tracks! There's a train station, signal box, and workshops. You can find toilets, a small shop, and picnic spots. The miniature trains usually run on the first and third Sundays of each month. They also run during school holidays.
Mason's Landing
This area has toilets and places to launch boats or canoes. There's also a playground and picnic spots. You can park your car along Duff Road.
Riverton Bridge Reserve
Here you'll find parking, a small shop, toilets, and places to launch boats or canoes. There are also picnic areas.
Ferndale Flats
This spot has a car park and open grassy areas. It's a good place for open play.
Greenfield Street Bridge
You can find parking on the south side of the Greenfield Street Bridge. It's less than 700 meters from the Westfield Carousel shopping center.
Adenia Reserve
Adenia Reserve is a large park area. It's about 700 meters from the Stockland Riverton shopping center. While there are no special parking areas, you can easily park on Adenia Road. You can walk or cycle to other parts of the park from here. The Australian Sikh Heritage Trail is also located at Adenia Reserve.
Caring for the Park
Both the City of Canning and DEC help look after the park. They keep the facilities and paths in good condition.
Park Volunteers
Many people work to keep the park healthy. They remove weeds and plant new native trees. Paid workers and volunteer groups do this important work. Many volunteers are locals of all ages. They want to protect the park's nature and make it a nice place for everyone. They also help bring back native plants and make sure visitors can explore safely.
Sometimes, money for park projects comes from groups like Lotterywest and Alcoa.
Protecting the Park
Sometimes, fires are started on purpose in the Canning River Regional Park. This is a big problem for the park and for Perth. There is a reward program that offers money for information. This helps find people who start fires on purpose. It helps keep the park safe for everyone.
