Wetlands Centre Playground
Ramya Bradbury
Not just for wildlife enthusiasts but anyone wanting to escape from London whilst still being in London, for families wanting to enjoy the outdoors, those wanting to learn more about wetland habitats and their flora and fauna. So many things to do ad so much to explore.
Inspiration to all aspiring and experienced gardeners wanting to bring more native plants and wildlife into any part of the garden, these sustainable gardens aim to fill you with ideas and they are just wonderful to explore.
A fantastic place for kids with interesting play areas and adventure playgrounds (with water play and underground burrow-playground), mud kitchen, trails, reading hideaway and our favourites: the wild walk and the wobbly rope bridge.
So you can visit it! You can also buy it as a gift for someone else. Adoption is available from 3 monthly and you get a welcome pack with a free entry to any WWT centres around the UK. Adoption fees are going towards the ongoing research and conservation work of the WWT.
Cool Creek Park is one of Hamilton County's most popular parks, as it offers a wide variety of features and activities. Members of the entire family are sure to enjoy this beautiful 90-acre park year round. The park includes 4 miles of wooded trails, perfect for hiking, jogging and bird watching. Scenic paved roads wind through the park are ideal for those who cycle and roller blade.
Looking for even more activities? Check out the playgrounds, soccer fields, or basketball court. For something slower paced, enjoy our nature trails, wetlands, prairies and benches along the trails, installed by Eagle Scouts.
This park is also home to the Cool Creek Nature Center, where families, school groups and nature lovers can explore the science of Indiana woodlands and learn about the importance of preserving plants and animals in their natural habitats. The center is open Monday thru Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The new Nature Play Area features natural elements in a wooded and shady area and is designed to encourage unstructured play in a natural setting, meant to inspire a child's imagination and an enhanced appreciation for the outdoors.
Cool Creek Park offers 4 shelters for you and your guests to enjoy. The shelter provides grills, picnic tables and trash disposal for your convenience. Shelters hold approximately 50 people. Reserve a shelter online.
The Cool Creek Nature Center Auditorium is the perfect setting for any gathering. Rental includes full use of tables, chairs and kitchenette, and a security guard for after-hour rentals. The auditorium is 44-foot by 52-foot. Alcohol is prohibited. Occupancy is 99.
Rental Hours: Monday - Saturday 9 am - 5:30 pm; Sunday 12:30 - 5:30 pm
Oaklands Wetland is a natural open space which is home to a diversity of wildlife including birds, aquatic life and protected species including the Grey-headed Flying-fox and the Purple Spotted Gudgeon.
The Oaklands Wetland and Reserve is home to the Oaklands Education Centre, an exciting purpose-built home for the partnership between the City of Marion and Flinders University, providing a place for education, research and studies into wetlands, and showcasing the site's storm water re-use scheme.
The Oaklands Education Centre is available for free for schools and are encouraged to book the facility for studies related to the environment. It is also a free community facility that can be used by not-for-profits and community groups.
The Oaklands Education Centre is blue building that is located along the western boundary of the Oaklands Wetland and Reserve, adjacent the Sturt River. To access the centre, parking is near the skate park and walk south towards the wetland.
Oaklands Wetland is home to many different species of animals including parrots, ducks, cockatoos and wader birds such as spoonbills, ibis and gulls. Fish and frogs live in the wetland, plus many different types of insects like dragonflies and mayflies.
A geocache is located within the Oaklands Wetland and Reserve, which is easily accessible for families. The geocache contains a log book, pen and small trinkets for the kids, and can be found with ease within the beautiful surroundings. There is plenty to see and do within the reserve that will keep kids occupied for hours. Please be sure to keep your eye on small children when you are near the water.
It takes three days for the water to move through the wetland, where it can be injected into aquifers almost 100m below ground. From there, an 25km long distribution network will supply water to over 40 reserves and other open public spaces for irrigation use.
European carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a pest that adversely affects the health of our rivers and wetlands. It was first introduced to Australian waterways more than 100 years ago and has since established in every state except the Northern Territory. Visit the National Carp Control Plan website to find out more information on why we remove Carp from Oaklands Wetland.
A valued feature of Oaklands Wetland is the public's close interaction with the wetland and the aquatic life. The open water areas are a particular feature which give good water views and are a component of all stormwater treatment wetlands.
Council has independently verified this through their own risk assessment conducted by an external consultant. However, as with all areas of open space, it is important that children are supervised at all times.
Designed for high school students and aligned with the SACE curriculum, Flinders University has created various educational modules where students are able to participate in water-related STEM activities - topics included are groundwater, environmental health and ecology.
Students get first-hand experience of practical activities such as conducting a theoretical risk assessment to see whether wetland water is safe for its intended use. The activities will be of particular use to the new science as a human endeavour strand of the SACE curriculum.
The Excellence Awards encourages, recognises, promotes and celebrates excellence in the innovation, development, completion and management of stormwater projects and the people involved.The City of Marion, together with partners Flinders University, won the Excellence in Research and Innovation category in 2020. Watch the video by Stormwater SA to find out more.
The Tantramar Rail Trail links Sackville with the Village of Port Elgin following the route of the Trans-Canada/New Brunswick Trail eastward. The Trail begins at a dyked wetland behind Tantramar Regional High School, then skirts the Tantramar Marsh. The trail crosses several working farms near Midgic, then passes through an isolated stretch of boreal forest, before emerging at Highway 16 near the community of Baie Verte. It ends at a working fishing wharf on the Gaspereau River in Port Elgin.
This recently revamped park, situated in the heart of downtown Sackville, includes a splash park, playground, tennis courts, basketball court, bandstand, activity centre, an artistic fountain, public washrooms (open seasonally), and hosts several events & activities. To book the Activity Centre, call (506) 364-4955. The facility is free for not-for-profit community groups offering a public recreation-based program. All private or for-profit users are required to pay $40 per hour as per the Bill Johnstone Memorial Activity Centre Rental Contract.
This wooded area, just off the Trans-Canada Highway, exit 500, provides an excellent spot for picnicking and is a good rest stop. Picnic tables and outdoor washrooms are available, along with disc golf, guided tours and an annual Shakespeare in the Park. The park has walking trails and a panoramic view of the Tantramar Marsh. In winter, Beech Hill Park becomes a fabulous launch pad for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Enjoy three trails covering 1.8, 3.0, and 5.0 kilometres through the forest area. Start at the park and follow the coloured trail markers for a delightful scenic winter adventure.
The Town of Sackville is proud to host what has been dubbed the most challenging Disc Golf Course in the Maritimes. Whether in the heat of the summer or the chill of the winter, our 18 hole course will provide you with the challenge and great time that players of all skill levels are looking for!
Located at the top of Walker Road off of Exit 500 on Highway 2, these well marked wilderness trails offer a unique all-season experience for any nature lover. Built and maintained by the Tantramar Outdoor Club, spend the day with your family exploring several kilometers of trails and the forest surrounding them.
The Tantramar Outdoor Club also grooms the trails in the winter time for cross country skiing and provides a well marked snowshoeing course. Don't forget to stop in and check out the ski hut to warm your hands and toes while on your adventure!
WWT London Wetland Centre had a vision to introduce some extra outdoor activities that their younger visitors could enjoy, that would also complement their ethos and help to inspire care for nature and wetlands. WWT is a charity that protects wetlands and wildlife and relies on the support from visitors, members, and donations. Their work means they can save critically endangered species from extinction.
After discussing ideas, our install team visited the centre to install the agreed markings on Monday 3 October 2022. The charming designs include some of the creatures that visitors might find whilst exploring the London Wetland Centre, including a number caterpillar, frog hop activity, and a custom maze with ducklings, dragonflies, and a swan in the centre!
Since the markings are made from thermoplastic, these engaging playground activities will be around for visitors in years to come. More importantly, the markings are environmentally friendly and non-toxic, containing no lead or chromates. This makes them completely safe for the visitors, staff, volunteers, and wildlife around them.
With a CIM Level 6 Diploma in Sustainable Marketing, Jess channels her passion for sustainability into her marketing role, using her skills to promote eco-conscious practices and raise awareness for our initiatives.
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