If you have driven along Forest Road in Penshurst and glanced to the side, you might have caught a flash of green and kept moving. That would be a mistake. Olds Park is one of those places that reveals itself slowly, growing in size and character the deeper you walk into it. What looks modest from the road unfolds into a genuine community hub that has served southern Sydney for generations, and thanks to recent upgrades, it is better than ever.
Located at 624 Forest Road, Penshurst NSW 2222, the park falls under the care of Georges River Council and sits comfortably within the broader Georges River local government area, a part of Sydney that punches well above its weight when it comes to outdoor recreation. Whether you are a keen runner clocking morning laps, a parent hunting for a free weekend outing with the kids, a sports club training under the afternoon sun, or simply someone who needs a bit of grass underfoot and sky overhead, Olds Park has a role to play.
Olds Park at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Address | 624 Forest Road, Penshurst NSW 2222 |
| Phone | +61 2 9330 6272 |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Managed By | Georges River Council |
| Typical Visit Duration | Up to 2 hours |
| Dogs Allowed | Yes (on leash) |
| Public Toilets | Yes |
| Picnic Tables | Yes |
| Wheelchair Access | Yes – accessible pathways throughout |
| Parking | Available on Forest Road |
| Entry Fee | Free |
What Makes Olds Park Stand Apart in Southern Sydney
Parks are not all equal. Some are patches of turf with a rusting swing set and little else. Olds Park occupies a different league entirely. It is a multi-purpose reserve that manages to serve a cricket club, an AFL club, a Little Athletics association, skaters, cyclists, dog walkers, picnicking families, and fitness enthusiasts — often at the same time, and without any of them getting in each other’s way.
The park’s physical size enables this. The main oval at the centre handles cricket in summer and Australian rules football through the winter months. The outfield is kept in good condition and the oval has hosted countless school athletics carnivals over the years, including annual events run by the St George Little Athletics Club, which remains an active presence at the park. Surrounding the oval, the park spreads out into multiple distinct zones, each catering to a different type of visitor.
The shared perimeter path is flat, sealed, and accessible to wheelchairs, prams, and bicycles. Fitness stations are dotted along its length, giving those who prefer circuit-style outdoor workouts a reason to pause between laps. A handful of free barbecue facilities and shaded picnic areas make Olds Park an easy choice for a Saturday lunch or a birthday gathering that does not require any booking or cost.
The Skate Park and the Knucker Dragon: A Story of Old and New
Perhaps the most talked-about aspect of Olds Park right now is the revitalised skate park and netball court precinct, officially opened in February 2024. This upgrade did not simply replace the old with the shiny — it honoured the past while building something genuinely world-class for the present.
The original skate park at Olds Park dates back to the 1970s, making it one of Sydney’s earliest purpose-built skateboarding venues. Generations of local kids learned to drop in, ollie, and navigate steel ramps here. When the time came to rebuild, Georges River Council made a deliberate decision to carry that history forward.
The result is Knucker, a dragon sculpture by artist Dillon MacEwan that now stands as the centrepiece of the new precinct. MacEwan — a master robotics and mechatronics engineer whose work spans large-scale installations, kinetic sculpture, and special effects for films including Mad Max: Furiosa — crafted the sculpture from salvaged skateboards, bicycles, and the original 1970s steel ramps from the former skate park. The dragon’s wings are literally formed from those old ramps, making Knucker a physical archive as much as a work of art.
The name carries additional meaning. Knucker comes from a Celtic word for water dragon, an apt reference given the park’s proximity to Georges River and the council’s own dragon logo. The sculpture also draws on the legend of Saint George and Chinese cultural symbolism, where the dragon represents prosperity, good fortune, and harmony. MacEwan dedicated the work to past and present members of the local skate community, stating it was made for the grommets, the geezers, the rippers, and the thrashers.
The skate park itself is a state-of-the-art mix of street-style obstacles and flow sections suited to every skill level. Alongside it, three netball courts were added, featuring both senior and junior goalposts. Two multi-use courts accommodate netball and basketball, extending the precinct’s appeal well beyond the skate crowd. The entire redevelopment was funded by the NSW Government through the Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund in partnership with Georges River Council.
Sports Clubs and Community Life at Olds Park
To understand how embedded Olds Park is in the local community, follow the sports clubs. The park serves as the home ground of the Penshurst Panthers AFL Club and is a base for St George Little Athletics. Cricket has a long-standing presence here too — Penshurst Cricket Club has competed in the St George District Cricket Association for over half a century, and Olds Park remains central to that tradition.
In winter, Australian rules football takes over the main oval, with the St George Dragons ALC side competing in the Sydney Premier Division using the ground. Soccer also has a regular presence. Long jump pits support athletics training and competitions across the year. The park is routinely borrowed by schools for their annual athletics carnivals, meaning on certain days in the warmer months, the ground hums with the collective energy of hundreds of students competing in sprints, throws, and jumps.
Beyond the competitive sporting activity, the park hosts community events including Youth in the Park during school holidays and the Olds Park Youth Festival during Youth Week. These events, organised in partnership with Georges River Council, bring a different kind of energy to the reserve — one focused on inclusion, creativity, and youth engagement rather than scorelines and training drills.
The Olds Park Sports Club is also located within the grounds, providing a social hub for the various sporting communities that call the park home. The Penshurst Branch of the Hurstville Library sits within the park boundary as well, adding a cultural dimension that most sporting reserves simply do not offer.
Planning a Visit: What to Bring and What to Expect
Olds Park is open around the clock, every day of the week, with no entry fee at any time. That openness makes it well-suited to early morning runs, lunchtime walks, after-school skate sessions, and weekend family outings alike.
Public toilets are available on-site, which is a practical necessity that parks of this size should have and often do not. Picnic tables are spread across two dedicated picnic areas. Barbecue facilities are free to use and generally well maintained. Dogs are welcome and the flat sealed pathway makes the park a favourite for morning walks with pets.
Getting There
By train, Penshurst railway station on the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line is within comfortable walking distance of the park. By car, parking is available along Forest Road. The address — 624 Forest Road, Penshurst NSW 2222 — is easily found via any mapping application. For enquiries, the park can be reached via Georges River Council on +61 2 9330 6272.
What to Bring
- Water bottle — the park does not have drinking fountains at every point
- Sunscreen — the main oval area is open and exposed on warm days
- A ball, a frisbee, or a bat — the open spaces invite spontaneous sport
- Skate or bike gear if your visit centres on the new precinct
- Cash is not needed — the park is entirely free
Accessibility and Inclusive Design at Olds Park
Accessibility has been a clear priority in the park’s recent redevelopment. The shared perimeter pathway is wheelchair-friendly and suitable for prams. The new netball and basketball courts have been designed with accessibility in mind, and signage throughout the park follows plain English and easy read standards. Georges River Council officially recognises Olds Park as a venue that actively welcomes and assists visitors with access needs, including those with autism, intellectual disability, and acquired brain injuries.
This is not merely checkbox compliance. The combination of flat terrain, sealed paths, accessible toilets, and thoughtfully designed communal spaces makes Olds Park genuinely usable for people who might find many parks exclusionary. For families navigating mobility challenges, Olds Park represents the kind of community infrastructure that matters.
The Surrounding Neighbourhood: Penshurst and Georges River
Penshurst is a suburb with a settled, community-oriented character. It sits roughly 15 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD and is served well by rail. The suburb is primarily residential, with a mixed demographic that includes long-established families and newer arrivals drawn by relative affordability and convenient access to both central Sydney and the Sutherland Shire.
Olds Park anchors this community in a way that goes beyond simply providing green space. It is a meeting point, a training ground, a destination for weekend recreation, and now, with the Knucker sculpture, a small landmark worth visiting in its own right. Within the broader Georges River local government area, parks and waterways are central to lifestyle and identity, and Olds Park sits at the heart of that culture for the Penshurst community specifically.
Nearby attractions include the Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre and Penshurst Park on King Georges Road. For those exploring the wider area, Georges River itself offers walking trails, kayaking, and waterfront dining in suburbs like Oatley and Hurstville. Olds Park makes a natural starting point for a broader day out in this part of Sydney.
The Master Plan: Where Olds Park is Headed
In February 2024, Georges River Council formally adopted the Olds Park Master Plan following extensive community consultation. The Master Plan sets out a long-term vision for the park that includes enhanced recreation infrastructure, improved landscaping and presentation, and continued focus on accessibility and community appeal.
The skate park and netball court redevelopment was among the first major outcomes of this planning process. Additional improvements to the sports pavilion and public toilet facilities in the park’s south-eastern corner are also in the pipeline, with council having secured grant funding to develop what has been described as an innovative and inclusive premium sporting facility. This trajectory suggests that Olds Park in the coming years will become an even more compelling destination than it is today.
For a free, all-ages public park that is open at any hour, the ambition embedded in the Master Plan is genuinely impressive. It reflects a broader understanding that well-resourced community green spaces deliver measurable benefits — to physical health, mental wellbeing, social connection, and local identity.
Read Also: Oatley Park Sydney| Frequently Asked Questions About Olds Park |
| How long is a lap of Olds Park? |
| A lap of the perimeter shared path at Olds Park is approximately 1.3 kilometres (around 0.8 miles). The path is flat, sealed, and well-maintained, making it ideal for walkers, joggers, and cyclists of all fitness levels. Most visitors complete a lap in around 12 to 15 minutes at a comfortable walking pace. |
| Does Olds Park have lights? |
| Yes, Olds Park has lighting for evening use, particularly around the sports facilities, shared pathways, and the newer skate park and netball court precinct. Lighting arrangements support activities after dark, though it is always wise to contact Georges River Council on +61 2 9330 6272 for the most current information on specific lit areas and times. |
| What is the history of Olds Park? |
| Olds Park has been a cornerstone of community life in Penshurst for decades. One of its most notable historical features is its skate park, which dates back to the 1970s, making it among the early purpose-built skateboarding venues in the Sydney region. The park has evolved consistently, serving generations of sports clubs and local families. A significant upgrade was completed in 2024, funded by the NSW Government under the Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund, transforming the skate park and netball precinct into a modern recreation hub. The metal from the original 1970s skate ramps was repurposed into the celebrated Knucker dragon sculpture, linking the park’s heritage to its contemporary identity. |
| Where is Olds Park? |
| Olds Park is located at 624 Forest Road, Penshurst NSW 2222, in the Georges River local government area of southern Sydney, Australia. It sits within easy reach of the Penshurst railway station on the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line, making it accessible by both public transport and car. |
| What sports can you play at Olds Park? |
| Olds Park supports a broad range of sports including AFL, cricket, soccer, netball, basketball, and athletics. It is the home ground of the Penshurst Panthers AFL Club and the St George Little Athletics Club. The park also hosts skating, rollerblading, scootering, and cycling on its dedicated paths. |
| Is Olds Park free to visit? |
| Yes, entry to Olds Park is completely free. The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Facilities such as BBQ areas, picnic tables, exercise stations, the skate park, and playgrounds are all available at no cost to visitors. |
Final Thoughts on Olds Park
There are parks you visit once, and parks you keep returning to. Olds Park belongs firmly in the second category. It has the facilities to support serious sport, the atmosphere to support leisurely recreation, the art to surprise and delight, and the open-door policy that makes it available to absolutely everyone at any time.
Whether you come for a competitive game of netball, to watch your child conquer a new skate challenge, to walk the dog before work, or to simply sit at a picnic table with lunch and some quiet, Olds Park will meet you where you are. That versatility — across ages, interests, and abilities — is what makes it not just a good park but an essential one.
Next time you drive along Forest Road, slow down and turn in. What you find will be worth considerably more than the few minutes it takes to park the car.
At OzKiwilife, Debashrita Majhi contributes fresh perspectives on lifestyle, technology, entertainment, and online culture. His writing style combines clarity, creativity, and real-world insights to connect with readers from different backgrounds. He is passionate about digital media, content marketing, and building valuable online resources that help people stay informed in a fast-changing world.
