Steel Park
Steel Park is a public park at 531-565 Illawarra Road, Marrickville, and its most notable feature is Waterplay Park, a free water playground with fountains and sprinklers. Steel Park also has a playground with a flying fox, a sporting ground, BBQs and a covered picnic area, and a fenced off-leash area for small dogs is planned.
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About Steel Park
Playground and Waterplay Park at Steel Park
Steel Park has a playground with a large climbing net, slides, swings and spring rockers, plus a flying fox for older children. The playground has a rubber softfall and woodchip surface, and mature trees shade the play area. Waterplay Park, a free water playground next to the main car park, has fountains and sprinklers and runs from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday, during the 2026/27 season from 1 September 2026 to 30 April 2027.
Sports and Fitness at Steel Park
Steel Park has a sporting ground that hosts three soccer fields in winter and cricket in summer. Inner West Council completed a $1.8 million upgrade of the sporting ground and held its official opening on 22 April 2026. Steel Park also has floodlighting, a basketball field and an outdoor fitness station, and commercial fitness training is permitted in the park. Walking paths run through the grounds.
Planned Small Dog Off-Leash Area at Steel Park
On 21 April 2026, Inner West Council decided to install a fenced off-leash area for dogs under 10kg at Steel Park. The planned area sits in the north-east of the park along Thornley Street, away from the sporting fields, and one of the two siting options is beside the Thornley Street car park. A later Council meeting will decide whether to formalise the proposal. Owners of dogs over 10kg will need another space for off-leash exercise.
Facilities at Steel Park
Visitor tips for Steel Park
- ✓Press the button to start Waterplay Park's fountains and sprinklers, which run on a 10-minute timer.
- ✓Keep young children close near the car park and the river, as only a small section of the water play area is fenced.
- ✓Arrive early on busy weekends, because the Illawarra Road car park is small.
- ✓Walk the Cooks River path from the park for views of the river and the estuarine saltmarsh.
Getting to Steel Park
Steel Park is at 531-565 Illawarra Road, Marrickville NSW 2204. The main car park is off Illawarra Road beside Waterplay Park, and a second car park is on Thornley Street in the north-east of the park. The Cooks River Cycle Path runs alongside the park and connects it to other parks and cycle tracks.
Open in Google Maps →Nearby Marrickville
- 📍Cooks River Cycle Path
- 📍Cooks River estuarine saltmarsh
- 📍Debby and Abbey Borgia Centre
Frequently asked questions about Steel Park
Is there an off-leash dog area at Steel Park?
A fenced off-leash area for dogs under 10kg is planned for the north-east of the park, but a later Council meeting must still decide whether to formalise it.
Are there toilets at Steel Park?
Yes, a toilet block with a baby change station sits beside the water play area.
Is the playground at Steel Park suitable for young children?
Yes, the climbing net and slides suit younger children, while the flying fox is designed for older kids.
Where do I park at Steel Park?
Steel Park has two car parks, one off Illawarra Road and one on Thornley Street.
Is Steel Park wheelchair accessible?
The ground around Waterplay Park is level from the car park and suits wheelchairs, and accessible toilets are close by.