Darrell Jackson Gardens

A variety of active recreational and sporting facilities, catering notably for junior cricket, skateboarding, tennis, half-court basketball, young children on a lot of play equipment in two separate locations, and anything that can make use of the reduced size "oval" (such as exercise/aerobic groups and, contrary to park signage, leash free dogs - all packed neatly into a relatively small total park area. Also a small picnic area, including a fixed cooker and a sheltered table; and even quiet places to be found here and there - from time to time. These features concentrate in the Carlton Crescent section of the park, which is the substantially larger park section, though the park continues through to Smith Street. Of the two separate locations of the children's play equipment, the larger one is slightly in the Smith Street section of the Park. It is apparently designed for somewhat younger children than the other, and is surrounded by a metal fence which at least keeps some potential dangers safely without and quick younger ones of an exploring nature safely within. It is also within free of sandstone blocks/rocks. The features of the park appear to be very well maintained, including to my observations and experience of public park facilities, the two tennis courts. The park does have a limited public toilet facility. There are a lot of sandstone blocks in and bordering the park: 128 to my count, depending if you classify a large enough piece of rock of irregular shape as a block too (and incidentally 7 painted logs). Just less than half of them run along the Carlton Crescent border, and the remainder are within the non-sporting-field grassed area of the Carlton Crescent section of the park. In that relatively small area there are arguably too many blocks placed for decoration or as alternatives to bench seats - 66 of them certainly diminishes their novelty value. Some of them I feel are too close to children's play equipment where consistent balance and awareness, particularly immediately after their use, even "expected" (by an adult) use, cannot always counted upon. In addition to not being far from Summer Hill shops and railway station, the Three Bridges Community Centre adjoins the park at the Smith Street end. At the rear of which at ground level is a Unisex and disability toilet maintained by the Inner West Council. Also, less than 50 paces West of the Smith Street entrance is the Summer Hill Community Garden - and through to the "Share" Before & After School Care & Vacation Care Centre. (The latter backs onto the larger Carton Crescent section of the park). I would have liked to develop in this review what this location of the park means more broadly to the community in light of what is in the immediate vicinity (noted above) and the services they provide, and how they integrate with and enhance what the park itself provides towards an overall sense of community - and community spirit. I would have also liked to point out the supporting role of the Inner West Council overall - credit where it is due - but the manager of "Share" stated a firm request to refer to nothing other than their name and that it is there; so I have not gone down that path. A little further afield, but not too far afield, is John Patton VC Reserve on the corner of Smith Street and Henson Street (opposite the landmark Summer Hill Anglican Church) if you need, and cannot find, any quiet place at the time of your visit. John Patton VC reserve is a small quiet-place Reserve, with the obligatory children's play equipment for an Inner West Council park discreetly and appropriately placed at the rear, behind the KU Henson Street Preschool.

So many things for children open spaces perfect paradise for them and their wonderful Imagination and blow off their endless energy so they have a good night sleep so perfect for parents with wild child and has picnic tables and a BBQ area close to park but no bathrooms what a huge shame

A large innerwest park with playgrounds, skate park, basketball and tennis courts. There is an oval, shady trees, BBQs and picnic tables. The skate park is full of friendly kids and parents during the day.

Pleasant oval with a cricket pitch, surrounded by trees, benches and tables, two play grounds, a tennis court, basketball court and a skate park. Just a stone’s throw from the station and shops. You couldn’t ask for more!

Beautiful highlight of Summer Hill. Inner West go to destination with well maintained playground, tennis, basketball, netball courts, skate park and plenty of shady picnic spots and some tables