Urban Parks in Canberra

There are many different types of Urban Parks in Canberra. They are described below. To see descriptions for individual parks, go to the Town, District or Neighbourhood Parks pages in the navigation menu at the left.

• Town Parks
• District Parks
• Neighbourhood Parks
• Pedestrian Parkland
• Laneways
• Semi-natural Open Space
• Native Grassland or Woodland
• Major Road Verges
• Major Road Medians
• Informal Use Ovals
• Special Purpose Areas
  

Town Parks

Town Parks are formal parks managed to a high standard, usually with mown and irrigated grass, paving, sculpture, shrub or flower beds. They are adjacent to and serving the main town centres and have intensive use. They may host special events.

District Parks

District Parks are extensive informal parks, which include mown grassland and range in size from 4-10 ha. They serve a minimum catchment area of 25,000 to 50,000 people. A diversity of recreation facilities are available at District Parks, for example, picnicking, barbecues, swimming and wading beaches or pools, adventure playground, skateboarding facilities.

Neighbourhood Parks

Neighbourhood Parks are small, usually between 0.25 to 2 ha. They typically have playground facilities and are located within 400m distance of residential areas. Parents with young children are the main users. They may be linked with or adjacent to cycleways, Pedestrian Parkland and Laneways. A Local Neighbourhood Park (0.25 to 1 ha) may become integral to the design of a residential neighbourhood where its smaller size provides a site for safe play by children under surveillance by adults. A Central Neighbourhood Park (0.5 to 2 ha) may be located adjacent to or surrounding a Neighbourhood Sportsground or Informal Use Oval.

Pedestrian Parkland

Pedestrian Parkland is a corridor of open space providing for pedestrian movement within and between suburbs and usually contains a pathway or cycleway linking shops, parks, schools and workplaces with peoples' homes. It may contain playgrounds in suitable locations. Pedestrian Parkland often serves a dual purpose being located in natural drainage lines providing for urban stormwater drainage.

Laneways

Laneways contain sealed pathways and narrow walkways between buildings and residential properties providing direct access between shops and residences.

Semi-natural Open Space

Semi-natural Open Space areas are remnant grazing land or native vegetation and include hill-top areas, creek corridors, ridges and buffer areas between suburbs. These areas provide a bushland setting for Canberra, habitat for wildlife and help maintain biological diversity. Such areas may provide sites for community activity by Urban Landcare, Parkcare or bushland regeneration groups.

Native Grassland or Woodland

Remnant grassland or woodland sites are important for nature conservation purposes. Several proclaimed sites contain endangered plant species and may be subject to Action Plans for their conservation, which are prepared under the Nature Conservation Act 1991.

Major Road Verges

Landscaped major road verges within suburbs containing planted trees and shrubs. The diversity and quality of the tree and shrub plantings in Canberra are responsible for much of its unique character.

Major Road Medians

The central median strip in major roadways provides sites for trees and shrubs planted for aesthetic purposes or for public safety reasons.

Informal Use Ovals

Non-irrigated open dryland grass areas are located adjacent to primary schools, community facilities or shopping centres. These areas provide for informal sport and recreational use by the local community. An Informal Use Oval is considered to be an integral part of any surrounding parkland when not in use for sporting purposes.

Special Purpose Areas

Special Purpose Areas are large areas of open space or lake surface, which for safety or management reasons, are dedicated for particular specialised recreational activities or sporting events. Existing examples are the Yarralumla Equestrian Area (48.9ha), the Molonglo Reach Water Ski Area (83.5ha) and the Hall Showground.