MacCabe Park facts for kids

MacCabe Park is a fun and green park located in the city of Wollongong, Australia. It's a popular spot for people of all ages to relax and play. While you might sometimes see it spelled "McCabe Park," the correct name is MacCabe Park. The land for this park was first set aside way back in 1855.

What You'll Find in MacCabe Park

MacCabe Park has lots of interesting areas to explore. It's designed for different activities, from playing to learning about art and history.

Fun for Kids and Teens

In the northeast part of the park, you'll find a lively playground where younger kids can have a blast. On the northwest side, there's a local youth centre. This centre has a small area for skating, and sometimes extra ramps are brought out for more fun. The walls of the youth centre are covered with cool graffiti and colourful murals. You can also spot a small strip of native plants and trees right next to the skating area.

Art, History, and Nature

Near the youth centre, there's a special sculpture called "Nike." It's surrounded by a pretty garden. In the northeastern area of the park, you'll find an art gallery run by the city council. There's also a war memorial with a planted garden and an old canon, which helps us remember important history.

Paths and Green Spaces

The park has many paths that wind through its green spaces. Most of the park is covered in soft lawn grass, perfect for picnics or just running around. On the western side, there are shops bordering a narrow walkway. This walkway is shaded by lovely climbing plants. You'll also see tall palm trees planted between the shops.

The Amphitheatre Hill

At the southern end of MacCabe Park, there's a man-made hill. It has two peaks, one slightly smaller and one a bit taller. Around the base of the larger peak, there's a circular amphitheatre made of brick. This is a great spot for small performances or just sitting and chatting. You'll also find covered paths in the southeastern and northwestern parts of the park, offering shade on sunny days.

Community and Parking

On the eastern side of the park, there's a community hall and a carpark. The hall features a famous mural that shows a scene from the movie E.T.

Where is MacCabe Park?

MacCabe Park is surrounded by streets in Wollongong's main business area. Church Street borders the east side, Keira Street is on the west, Burelli Street is to the north, and Ellen Street is on the southern end. The park is very easy to get to, located just two blocks from popular spots like Wollongong Central and Wollongong Mall.

Plants You Might See

The park is home to a variety of plants. You'll see tall palm trees and a few native eucalypt trees. There are also different types of grass plants, small shrubs with grey leaves, and a small group of casuarina trees located south of the amphitheatre.

Future Plans for the Park

Since 1990, the Wollongong City Council has had a plan to make MacCabe Park even bigger. Their goal is to buy the commercial buildings around the park as they become available. Eventually, these buildings will be taken down to create more open space for everyone to enjoy.

Images for kids

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  MacCabe Park

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  Nike, a sculpture in the park