Parks · Tennyson, Brisbane

Ken Fletcher Park, Tennyson: Playground, Water Play and River Views

A free riverside park on the Brisbane River with a power station themed playground, sand and water play, electric BBQs and a pontoon, about 15 minutes by car from the CBD.

Ken Fletcher Park, Tennyson: Playground, Water Play and River Views

Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ken Fletcher Park is a free riverside park at Tennyson, beside the Queensland Tennis Centre, with a power station themed playground, a sand and water play area, electric BBQs and a pontoon on the Brisbane River. It is open 24 hours and costs nothing to visit.

The flat paths and river views make it an easy stop with prams and scooters.

The playground at Ken Fletcher Park

The playground has a power station theme, with smokestacks, climbing structures, extensive climbing nets, bouncy seesaws and slides. There are five swings, including a toddler swing, a net swing and an all-abilities swing with a harness, and a backhoe-shaped fort for toddlers.

The play area is not fenced, so keep young children in sight. Concrete paths wind through the park and suit balance bikes and scooters, and there is open grass for running and ball games.

Wide concrete paths and a play area with shade sails at Ken Fletcher Park
Wide paths wind through the playground area. Photo: John Robert McPherson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sand and water play

A large sand and water play zone is one of the main draws. It can get very messy, so bring a change of clothes and a towel for the car.

The river, pontoon and amphitheatre

Ramps lead down toward the river and the jetty, and a public pontoon is provided for non-motorised water activities such as paddling. You can walk the park’s paths for river views even if you are not launching a kayak.

The park also has an amphitheatre with a large shaded area, a plaza, public art and seating. The amphitheatre is the park’s one bookable site and holds 44 people. Barbecues and the playground cannot be booked.

Booking the amphitheatre for a party or event

If you want a birthday or small gathering, the amphitheatre is the only part of the park you can book. It holds up to 44 people, power is available. Vehicle access is decided case by case.

To apply, fill in council’s online Park Booking Application and state the event type and expected number of people. Council then assesses suitability, availability and any fees. You may also be able to book a different part of the park, but council will decide that after you apply. Everyone else shares the barbecues and playground, so arrive early on weekends if you are bringing a group.

Visiting with children who need extra support

The park is described as relatively flat, with concrete paths and ramps, an all-abilities swing with a harness, accessible toilets and signed disabled parking on King Arthur Terrace. Brisbane Kids also notes that the signs and symbols around the park may appeal to neurodiverse children. The accessible adult changing facility needs a Master Locked Access Key (MLAK), so plan for that before you arrive.

Toilets, BBQs and accessibility

  • Toilets: a public unisex accessible toilet, open daylight hours, built in 2013, plus an accessible adult changing facility that needs a Master Locked Access Key (MLAK).
  • BBQs: a picnic area with two double-plate electric BBQs, free to use and shared with other visitors (they cannot be booked).
  • Accessibility: relatively flat ground with concrete paths that suit prams and wheelchairs, ramps to the jetty, signed disabled permit parking on King Arthur Terrace and an accessible and inclusive playground.
  • Food: there are cafes about 150 metres away.
The brick and timber amenities building at Ken Fletcher Park with steps and ramps up to it
The toilet block with step and ramp access. Photo: John Robert McPherson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Planning your visit

  • How long: one to two hours with kids, longer if you have a BBQ.
  • Best time: early morning or late afternoon, for the shade.
  • Cost: free.
  • What to bring: a hat, sunscreen, water, a change of clothes for sand and water play and food for the BBQ.
  • Dogs: council lists no off-leash area in the park (the nearest listed one is at Sir John Chandler Park, Indooroopilly), so check the signs on site. There is a drinking fountain with a dog bowl.

Getting there and parking

Ken Fletcher Park is at 167 King Arthur Terrace, Tennyson. It is about 10 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 15 minutes by car without traffic.

There is an on-site car park, which can get busy, plus a bus drop-off area. For public transport, plan a trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.

Council’s page for the park is on brisbane.qld.gov.au. Details can change, so check before you go.

Nearby

  • Yeronga – a pool and parks for a second stop.
  • Rocklea Markets – the Saturday fresh market, also on Brisbane’s south side.
  • Frew Park – a Brisbane park with a playground for a second stop.
  • Bulimba Memorial Park – a heritage park with a playground, also on the river.
  • New Farm Park – a river park closer to the city.

Browse more playgrounds and parks.

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Quick answers

Is Ken Fletcher Park free?

Yes. The park is free and open 24 hours.

Does Ken Fletcher Park have toilets?

Yes, a public accessible toilet open daylight hours, plus an accessible adult changing facility that needs a Master Locked Access Key (MLAK).

Are there BBQs?

Yes, two double-plate electric BBQs in the picnic area, shared and not bookable.

Is the playground fenced?

No, so keep young children close.

Is there parking?

Yes, an on-site car park, with signed disabled permit parking on King Arthur Terrace. It can get busy.

Can I launch a kayak?

There is a public pontoon for non-motorised water activities.

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