Dinosaur play in Yarraville expanding

Published on 26 June 2023

McNish Reserve in Yarraville, fondly know as Mimi the Dinosaur Park, has expanded its dinosaur-play, welcoming new play equipment for Maribyrnong’s littlest residents.

The popular playground is located in leafy Cruickshank Park along Stony Creek in Yarraville and features a range of play equipment, including a six metre long, three metre high dinosaur called Mimi the Muttaburrasaurus – kids can climb inside and slide down her tail. The park also features a walking path, picnic table and other fun play items such as concrete dinosaur eggs and a musical instruments.

Recent upgrades to the playground, undertaken in collaboration with Friends of Cruickshank Park – a local community group involved in keeping Cruickshank Park beautiful – include a new climbing rope wall, and a 10 metre foot path that provides safe access and connects younger users to the different components within the playground and existing foot path network throughout the Park.

Youngsters can enjoy the full safari experience observing Mimi and the playground from a Jeep four wheel drive rocker, and a new inclusive volcano themed carousel built at ground level – both complimenting the existing dinosaur theme. New stormwater treatment wetlands have also been built, providing new frog habitat and improving the quality of water entering Stony Creek.

Cruickshank Park is a much-loved open space in the inner west, supporting a thriving ecosystem and attracting a range of native wildlife, along with providing a place for locals to wander, walk their dogs and enjoy nature. It also supports young people and families with nature based play, and has also developed into a rich educational space for younger members of the community to learn about the animals that live on their doorstep.

The McNish Playground Upgrades were co-funded by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s Local Parks Program and Maribyrnong City Council.

For more information about McNish Reserve, visit www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Park/Cruickshank-Park. 

Message from the Mayor, Councillor Sarah Carter

These new upgrades are sure to enhance an already well-loved park within the community and provide more opportunities for young children to play at the busier times of use. I hope locals and visitors to the area enjoy these upgrades and make the most of the full dinosaur safari experience on offer right here in the inner west.

Maribyrnong News

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