Blatchford Sporting and Recreation Reserve | Murrumba Downs

If you want a fun place to visit, where the whole family can spend a couple of hours, then Blatchford Sporting and Recreation Reserve should be high on your list.

This large reserve in Murrumba Downs, on Brisbane’s northside, boasts a large multi-level play fort, pump track, toddler scooter track, outdoor fitness equipment, a fenced dog off-leash area and more. Whilst it is set in a suburban area, there is plenty of open space where the kids can run wild, kick a ball, fly a kite or just laze about and enjoy the fresh air.

Blatchford Recreation Reserve Playground

Entering Blatchford Recreation Reserve via the main carpark on Goodfellows Road, you will find most of the amenities and the main playground.

Whilst the playground is unfenced it is not too close to the roads or carparks to cause major concern, though caution should always be exercised. Smaller children can be kept occupied with some play panels which are low to the ground and a variety of swings (toddler, adult and nest), while the bigger kids can climb the fort and slip down one of the many slides.

Next to the main playground you will find a generous picnic shelter with multiple picnic tables, two electric BBQ’s and of course, the all-important, accessible toilet facilities.

A large field is adjacent to the main playground and lends itself to ball games, running races or even kite flying. This is also where the cricket nets are located.

The next area in the Reserve contains an extensive range of outdoor exercise equipment including a BEEP test track, handball court and other fitness equipment. A full-size basketball court is beside this area and will be popular among the older children. There is also a netball half-court, table tennis table (BYO equipment) and another shaded picnic shelter.

If you happen to be in the area with your dog, they will be happy to run around in the large, fully fenced, dog off leash area.

At the far end of the Reserve, next to the dog park you will find the impressive pump track, which was added to the area in July 2022 (unfortunately the second smaller playground was removed to make way for this feature). The track is suitable for BMX’s, scooters, balance bikes etc and will see the kids zooming around and having fun (hopefully without too many injuries).

To satisfy the needs of younger children a smaller (but equally as fun) scooter track was added to the Reserve in December 2024. This scooter track is situated next to the larger pump track and is designed for smaller children, in the hopes they will not use the other pump track while the bigger children are zooming about.

You can find archways, rollers and poles to manoeuvre on the track as well as a roundabout, and stop and give way signs painted on the ground. A concrete pathway leads from the main carpark to this track, making it easily accessible for those on wheels.

Imagination Factor at Blatchford Reserve

Perhaps one of the most endearing features of this play space is the large open areas and a multitude of options when it comes to playing, exercising and having fun. Children can use their imagination by inventing running games, playing hide and seek or pretending to be the next sports star on the pump track.

Accessibility at Blatchford Reserve

The main access point to the Reserve is via the Goodfellows Road carpark, which has two designated, accessible parking spaces. The carpark is connected to the picnic area, toilets and main playground via wide concrete paths. These paths loop around the playground and continue throughout the reserve, making most places accessible if you have a wheelchair, pram etc.

The main playground has sections of rubber base, making the swings, spinner and some parts of the fort easily accessible, though there is also bark around the equipment.

There is plenty of shade throughout the Reserve provided by established trees, picnic shelters and shade sails.

Blatchford Sporting and Recreation Reserve features

• Playground (unfenced)
• Accessible toilet 
• Main Playground (partly covered by shade sails)
  • Rubber and bark base
  • Fort
  • Swings including toddler swing and nest swing
  • Climbing opportunities
  • Slides including a tunnel slide
  • Educational play panels
  • Accessible spinner
• Pump track
• Toddler scooter track
• Full-size basketball court
• Netball half-court
• Table tennis table (BYO equipment)
• Outdoor fitness equipment
• Cricket nets
• Lots of open green spaces
• Large, fenced, dog off-leash area
• Electric barbeques (free to use)
• Picnic shelters, rubbish bins and water fountains.
• Nearby to public transport
• On and off-street parking

While You Are in the Area

If you are after some other playgrounds in the area which are suitable for energetic families we encourage you to visit John Oxley Reserve which is just over a kilometre away. This play space includes sporting fields, bush-walks and of course a cool playground.

Osprey House and Environment Centre isn’t far away (about 5km) and boasts an educational centre and boardwalks perfect for nature spotting. Bray Farm Park is just up the road too.

What We Thought of Blatchford Reserve

Any play space that caters for all the family immediately gets our tick of approval. The energetic 11 year old loves to kick the footy and run around in the open space, while the 9 year old prefers to play – slipping, sliding and swinging her way around the equipment.

Having toilets, picnic shelters and different play spaces makes this a great park for an afternoon of fun.

How to Get to Blatchford Reserve

Blatchford Sporting and Recreation Reserve is located on Goodfellows Road in Murrumba Downs. Ample off-street parking is available.

For those wishing to utilise public transport, buses stop along Goodfellows Road. The Kallangur Train Station is also less than 10 minutes walk away (approximately 700m).

More pictures of Blatchford Recreation Reserve