Parkwood, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Parkwood Perth, Western Australia
Parkwood Shopping Centre at Vellgrove Avenue.
Established	1965
Postcode(s)	6147
Area	3.6 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Location	14.8 km (9 mi) from the Perth CBD
LGA(s)	City of Canning
State electorate(s)	Riverton
Federal Division(s)	Tangney
Suburbs around Parkwood: Riverton Ferndale Lynwood Willetton Parkwood Langford Willetton Canning Vale Thornlie

Parkwood is a friendly suburb located in the southeastern part of Perth, which is the capital city of Western Australia. It's part of the City of Canning, which is like its local council. Parkwood is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of the main city area of Perth.

Discovering Parkwood's Past

Parkwood has an interesting history! The area was first settled in June 1832 by a person named Henry Willett. He was given a large piece of land near the Canning River. This land included what is now Parkwood and a nearby area called Lynwood.

How Parkwood Got Its Name

For a while, Parkwood and Lynwood were considered the same area. In 1964, the local council, then called the Shire of Canning, thought about naming parts of the area "Burtsdale" or "Willetton". The name "Burtsdale" was to honor Septimus Burt, who bought land there in 1882.

In 1965, developers wanted to call the Lynwood area "Clovercrest Estate", but they eventually agreed on "Lynwood". The name "Willetton" was used for a different area to the west. Finally, in 1993, Parkwood officially became its own separate suburb. Lynwood still exists just north of High Road.

Where is Parkwood Located?

Parkwood is surrounded by several main roads. To the north and northeast, you'll find High Road. Nicholson Road is to the east, and the Roe Highway is to the south. Willeri Drive forms the western boundary of the suburb.

Fun Things to Do in Parkwood

Parkwood is mostly a place where people live, but it also has many parks where you can play and relax.

Flag at Stockland Riverton Shopping Centre in Parkwood that is visible from surrounding suburbs.

Schools in Parkwood

Parkwood is home to two important schools:

• Lynwood Senior High School, which opened in 1974.
• Parkwood Primary School, which opened in 1975. It was originally called West Lynwood.

Parkwood Primary School has a special program called the Intensive English Centre. This program helps kids who are new to Australia, like refugees or children who have moved from other places, learn English. Many of these students might have special learning needs, and the center helps them catch up.

Shopping and Activities

The Riverton Forum Shopping Centre is a big shopping center located in Parkwood, on the south side of High Road. It opened in 1986.

Close by, across High Road in Riverton, you'll find the Canning Arts Centre and the Riverton Leisureplex. The Riverton Leisureplex is a huge place with lots of facilities for sports, fitness, and fun activities. It opened in 2001 and is run by the City of Canning. It even has the city's biggest library!

In the southeastern part of Parkwood, there's a smaller shopping area on Vellgrove Avenue. There's also a community and sports center nearby. These facilities are right next to the Whaleback Golf Course, which is an 18-hole public golf course. This golf course opened in 1981 and was updated in 2002.

Getting Around Parkwood

You can easily get around Parkwood and to other parts of Perth using the bus system. Here are some of the bus routes that serve the area:

•        Bus 75: Travels from Canning Vale to Elizabeth Quay Bus Station. It stops along Vellgrove Avenue, Pegley Drive, Lyndale Avenue, Hossack Avenue, and Willeri Drive.
•        Bus 208: Goes from Murdoch Station to Cannington Station. This bus uses Nicholson Road.
•        Bus 506: Connects Bull Creek Station to Parkwood. It serves Vellgrove Avenue and High Road.
•        Bus 507: Runs from Bull Creek Station to Cannington Station. You can catch it on Hossack Avenue, Torridon Avenue, and Vellgrove Avenue.
•        Bus 508: Also goes from Bull Creek Station to Cannington Station, using High Road.