George Kendall Riverside Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George Kendall Riverside Park |
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George Kendall Riverside Park, facing East
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| Type | Municipal (City of Parramatta) |
| Location | Ermington, New South Wales |
| Area | 27.2 hectares |
| Operated by | City of Parramatta |
| Parking | Off-street parking |
George Kendall Riverside Park is a large, fun park in Ermington, New South Wales. It covers 27.2 hectares, which is about the size of 50 football fields! You can find it right on the northern bank of the Parramatta River.
The park is named after George Frederick Kendall. He was an alderman for the Ermington/Rydalmere area from 1944 to 1948. An alderman is like a local council member who helps make decisions for the community.
Contents
Park History: From Landfill to Green Space
Back in the 1970s, a big part of what is now George Kendall Riverside Park was used as a landfill. This means it was a place where rubbish was buried. Local people were not happy about this.
But don't worry! The landfill was eventually closed down. The area was then cleaned up and replanted with new trees and plants. This turned the old landfill into the beautiful park we see today.
Fun Activities: Sports and Play
George Kendall Riverside Park is a super popular spot for sports and outdoor fun. There are lots of different facilities for you to enjoy:
- A great track for riding your bike or going for a walk.
- Fields for playing football (soccer).
- A baseball field for hitting home runs.
- A cricket pitch for a game of cricket.
- Tennis courts where you can practice your serve.
- Basketball and netball courts, perfect for a quick game with friends.
The park is also the home ground for the Ermington United Soccer Club. So, if you love soccer, you might even catch a game here!
Park Amenities: Your Comfort Zone
Besides sports, George Kendall Riverside Park is a fantastic place for picnics and relaxing. It has everything you need for a fun day out:
- Cool playgrounds for kids of all ages.
- Electric barbecues, so you can cook up a delicious meal.
- Clean public toilets.
- Plenty of off-street parking, making it easy to visit.
Nature's Wonders: Plants and Animals
George Kendall Riverside Park is an important home for many different plants and animals. It's like a mini-forest and wetland right in the city!
Amazing Plants of the Park
Along the riverside, you'll find special areas with mangroves and saltmarshes. These are unique plants that can grow in salty water. There are even patches of a rare plant called Wilsonia backhousei.
Elsewhere in the park, you can see native Australian trees like the Sydney peppermint (Eucalyptus piperita) and the brush box (Lophostemon confertus). There are also smaller plants like the red-stemmed wattle (Acacia myrtifolia) and kangaroo grass (Themeda australis).
Some common weeds, like farmer's friend (Bidens pilosa) and purpletop (Verbena bonariensis), also grow here. These are plants that are not native and can sometimes take over from the local plants.
Wonderful Birds of the Park
Many different kinds of birds live in or visit the park. You might spot a grey butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus) with its lovely song. The white-faced heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) can be seen looking for food near the water. And of course, you might hear the famous laugh of a laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae).
Some birds, like the Indian myna (Acridotheres tristis), are also common here. These are birds that were brought to Australia from other countries.
Helping Nature: The Bushcare Group
George Kendall Riverside Park has a special group called the bushcare group. This group includes local residents and council members who volunteer their time. They work hard to help the native plants grow and remove the weeds.
They meet on the third Sunday of every month, except during the hottest summer days. They plant new native species and pull out unwanted weeds. If you're interested in helping nature, new members are always welcome to join!
