Charles Heath Reserve

Opened in 2024, Charles Heath Reserve is Five Dock's shiny new playground and the local community is rightly chuffed about it. The play towers are the centrepiece — multi-level structures connected by bridges, with slides, climbing walls, and lookout points that give kids a sense of height and adventure. Everything is brand new and in perfect condition, which makes a refreshing change from playgrounds where the flying fox cable is frayed and the slide has lost its speed.

The design is modern and well-zoned. A dedicated toddler area with lower, gentler equipment sits separate from the bigger towers, so younger children have their own space without being overwhelmed by charging eight-year-olds. There are swings, climbing nets, balancing elements, and sand play. The rubber surfaces are pristine, the colours are vibrant, and the whole space has that new-playground smell (yes, it's a thing).

Charles Heath Reserve sits in a residential pocket of Five Dock, so it has a genuine neighbourhood feel. It's smaller than the mega-destinations like Blaxland or Bungarribee, but it's the sort of playground you'd happily visit every week rather than once a season. The surrounding park has open grass, shade trees, and a relaxed vibe.

Toilets are in the reserve. Street parking on surrounding residential streets is usually fine outside of peak times. The nearest cafes are on Great North Road, about a 5-minute walk. Bus routes service Five Dock well, and the future Metro West station at Five Dock will eventually make this playground train-accessible. It's a terrific example of a modern neighbourhood playground done right.