Beth Boyd Park at Thorneside has recently undergone a major upgrade with an impressive imagination and nature-based nautical playground now residing at this lovely seaside location. For parents seeking coffee, there is also a cluster of cafes across the road from the park.
Beth Boyd Park playground
Beth Boyd Park is a gorgeous Thorneside park that sits alongside the Moreton Bay seaside. In late December 2022, the first round of major upgrades to the original playground was completed and opened to the public. Gone is the old, simple playground and beach-facing ship and in its place is a treasure trove of shaded pirate themed playground fun.
With a strong nautical theme running throughout, the generously spaced play space includes a swing set, climbing frame, dual pedal bike spinner and fitness circuit.
The real hero and drawcard here is the sizeable multi-level pirate-ship climbing structure with multiple sections to explore, look-out holes, a tower and a giant slide. A smaller ship front also faces out to the Moreton Bay seaside beach it sits next to.
Sticking with the pirate theme, there are also multiple barrels, treasure chests and cargo boxes scattered around, an ‘X’ marks the spot digging sandpit, and even an in-ground trampoline square with another treasure marking ‘X’ on it. Kids will also love the giant water play section with a couple of water pumps and a large meandering pebbled stream to play in.
The park also offers a bike path that meanders alongside the sea, and when the tide is out families can enjoy walking out along the sand flat towards the water. There is a sandy beach volleyball court, fitness area, two hill slides, a basketball quarter court and many different play spaces to choose between.
Note: The hill slides and basketball quarter are currently still under renovation and are currently fenced off. This area is due for completion in February 2022.
Imagination Factor
This park is a dream for any imaginative child who wants to drift off to faraway lands and adventures.
The seaside pirate climbing structure and scattered treasure chests, barrels and cargo boxes mean kids can imagine themselves finding an unexplored shipwreck – or maybe they are pirates themselves on their way to find more treasures in the distant seas.
The sandpit with an ‘X’ marks the spot sign can make for hours of shaded fun as the kids hide small trinkets for others to find or dig themselves to see what they can uncover.
Water and Nature Play
Aside from having direct beach access, this park offers kids multiple nature and water play opportunities. Whether with the water pumps and pebbled streams just perfect for leaf races and shallow cooling down splashing or digging in the sand and jumping between the scattered log section of the park – the options are endless.
Quite a few large shaded trees within the playground are perfect for climbing; one even has large concrete seating squares surrounding it. These are perfect for parents to sit on and watch as their little monkey’s clamber high above the outstretched branches.
Accessibility
This park is not especially suited to kids of special needs although the latest renovation does come with a large, wide and flat play area that is easy to move around. There are disabled toilet facilities, covered seating and BBQ areas too. It is unfenced and near water. Suited to kids of all ages.
Locals tip: Take mosquito spray a depending on the season, midges can prove a nuisance.
Beth Boyd Park features
- Accessible Toilets
- Change room facilities for swimming
- Outdoor shower
- Pirate ship playground by the water
- Accessibility swing
- In-ground trampoline bouncer
- Water pumps and pebble stream
- Peddle cars
- Nature play logs
- Netted climbing structure
- Cannon
- Shaded play areas
- Beach volleyball court
- Basketball half-court
- Hill Slides
- 2 FREE electric BBQ’s
- Plenty of shade
- Unfenced
- Shaded eating areas
- Fitness equipment
- Water bubbler and rubbish bin
- Bike paths & bike racks
- Can be quite muddy by the waters edge
- Plenty of off-street parking on John Street and an additional carpark on Mooroondu Road
- Parks nearby include Lota Park and Manly Park
Beth Boyd Park is located on the corner of John Street and Mooroondu Road in Thorneside.
Mooroondu Rd & John St, Thorneside QLD 4158, Australia
Summer Long
But who is/was Beth Boyd??