Hugh Johnson Boulevard Reserve, Sheidow Park

Hugh Johnson Boulevard Reserve in Sheidow Park is a regional playground that has two small playgrounds along the shared walking and cycling path (part of the Coast to Vines Rail Trail). This idyllic reserve has a duck pond and lots of opportunity for nature play.

Council has transformed Hugh Johnson Boulevard Reserve. The upgraded reserve includes two new playgrounds, a pump track, fitness equipment, pond and creek reinstatement and associated works. The official opening was held on 28 August 2022.

The new look playground and associated reserve upgrade works include:

• A challenging adventure area for older children with a climbing wall and the tallest tunnel slide in Marion!
• A junior play space including see saw, swings, carousel, and a play structure with slide.
• An ‘Enchanted Forest’ nature play area, complete with animal sculptures and a magic cauldron.
• There is a 3 on 3 basketball court, netball ring, mini soccer goals and adult fitness equipment.
• Junior Pump Track
• Shade sail over the junior play area
• Car parking along Patpa Drive
• Toilet
• Shared path for bikes, trikes and pedestrians
• Picnic facilities, shelters, BBQs, picnic tables, bike racks and drinking fountain
• Reinstatement of pond and creek
• Landscaping
  

Consultation on the draft concept via Making Marion occurred in October/ November 2020 and April /May 2021. Community drop in sessions were held end November 2020 and early May 2021. Marion Council endorsement of the concept plan on 8 June 2021. Council received matching funding from the State Government’s Open Space and Places for People grant program to construct the reserve upgrade in December 2021.

The true drawcard for this scenic reserve are the natural elements that encourage nature play.

Throughout the reserve there are plenty of rocky creek beds to explore and traverse. Wooden bridges allow access to both sides of the reserve at regular intervals.

Large logs feature at the south western end of the reserve.

The duck pond mitigates flooding in the area, acting as a storm-water retention basin. Find out more about our commitment to being a Water Sensitive City on our Water management page.

Plovers graze on the grassy hills. The usual suspects, Noisy Miners and Magpies, are established residents.

On the north eastern side of the reserve there are a set of large spaced-out boulders that will challenge your balance and coordination as you try to navigate from boulder to boulder - it's nature's parkour.

The reserve has a mixture of native and introduced trees. If you visit in Autumn you'll find a rainbow of multi-coloured leaves to admire and ramble through. In the same season you'll also see the Chinese Elms on the roadside burst with pink blooms. Native trees provide plenty of crafting material for nature-inspired creativity.

Challenge: Try to find the unusual looking tree that is starting to tie itself in a knot!

Bench seats and picnic tables are scattered throughout the reserve in cool shady areas or near the play equipment. There is a BBQ on the southern side.

Although there are no toilets at this reserve, it's only a 15 minute walk to Southbank Boulevard Reserve where you can explore another playground. Toilets can also be found further along the Coast to Vines Rail Trail at Glade Crescent Reserve, Hallett Cove.

There are a number of parks and playgrounds on or near to the Coast to Vines Rail Trail (listed from coast to vines).

Take your time and explore our other parks along your journey.