Rocks Riverside Park facts for kids

Rocks Riverside Park is a big park located next to the Brisbane River in Seventeen Mile Rocks, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It opened on December 7, 2003. The park has cool old industrial items from when it was used by the Queensland Cement and Lime Company.

You can also see public art that shows off the park's history. There's even a special garden area that reminds us of the site's farming days. Rocks Riverside Park is the biggest park along the river in Brisbane. It has 800 meters of riverfront and covers a huge area of 26 hectares.

Fun Things to Do

The park is divided into three main parts. There's the river flat area, which used to be a rich natural environment. Then there's the bushland range, with dry eucalyptus trees, which makes a nice background. Finally, there's a green path that connects the park to nearby suburbs.

A wide view of Rocks Riverside Park

The park has lots of fun features for everyone. You can find a water play area to cool off. There's also a flying fox for an exciting ride. Many shelters and open lawns are perfect for picnics.

You can explore bushland and gardens. There are electric barbecues for cooking. Kids will love the adventure playgrounds and a climbing web. The park also has bikeways, a basketball court, and a special swing for children with disabilities called a liberty swing. You can also find an amphitheatre and a pavilion for events.

Water Recycling System

Rocks Riverside Park has a special underground system that recycles water. This water is not for drinking, but it's used to water the park. This helps save water, especially during dry times.

The system cleans the water using a natural process with reed beds. This method is good for the environment. It also costs less to run and doesn't need much looking after. This means the park can stay green even when there are water restrictions.

Rocks Community Garden

The Rocks Community Garden is a special garden inside Rocks Riverside Park. It started in June 2007. Volunteers manage this garden, and they focus on growing food without using harmful chemicals.

Anyone who likes organic gardening can join the community garden. Members rent small garden plots each year. There are 34 individual plots and 9 raised garden beds. The garden also has a small orchard that members help take care of.

Park History

The land where Rocks Riverside Park now sits has been used for many different things over time. Long ago, Irish immigrants named Robert and Frances Henry bought the land. They cleared the thick plants and grew crops like sugar cane, oats, Barley, and corn.

In the 1920s, the land was sold. From the late 1940s to the 1960s, a Sicilian immigrant named Frank Pettinato grew vegetables. He planted Tomatoes, Capsicum, Beets, and Peanuts.

Around this time, the Queensland Cement and Lime Company (QCL) started working in the area. They chose this spot because it had good fresh water, gravel, and sand. They also brought dead coral up the Brisbane River from Moreton Bay. This coral was a good replacement for lime, which they needed for their work.

In 1995, the Queensland Government decided that QCL could no longer take coral from Moreton Bay. The last coral arrived in 1997, and the company used most of it by 1998. This led to the plant closing down in 1999.

How the Park Was Made

After the cement plant closed, the Brisbane City Council decided to turn the site into a park in 1999. Their goal was to create a "significant, contemporary riverside park." They wanted it to show off great design and smart ways to manage the environment for everyone to enjoy.

Different design companies worked together to plan the park. They made sure the park was new, exciting, and good for the environment. The signs around the park have a special look. They use light green plates with cut-out letters and white writing. These signs are attached to cool metal pieces with patterns of dots.

Park Awards

Rocks Riverside Park has won several awards for its design and features.

In 2003, the park won the Innovation Award from the Playground and Recreational Association of Victoria.

The Brisbane City Council also received an award in 2003 from the Australian Institute of Project Management. This award recognized the park as a great example of how the Council manages building and improving Brisbane's public spaces.

The park's special water recycling project won a Water Saving Award in 2006 from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport.