Brimbank Park accessibility information
Entry to Brimbank Park is via Keilor Park Drive, which is off the Western Ring Road in East Keilor. Before visiting Brimbank Park, check the park page on the website for the latest changes of conditions.
Picnic Area A
Parking and access (car park A)
Picnic Area A has a large, sealed car park catering for over 100 vehicles. In the car park there is a parking bay for large buses located within a few metres of the entrance to the All Abilities Playscape. There are five standard size designated disabled parking bays in the car park, and these are also located within a few metres of the playscape entrance. The parking bays are designed for both side and rear disembarking passengers.
Disabled parking in main car park on Park Drive, located adjacent to the main entrance to the All Abilities Playscape.
Bus parking area also adjacent to the main entrance to the All Abilities Playscape.
All Abilities Playscape
The All Abilities Playscape is an inclusive playground that provides a range of experiences for young children with a range of abilities. The playground design embraces several themes which focus on the Indigenous and European history of the land where Brimbank Park is located. The playground has a range of design features making it suitable and enjoyable for children with physical, cognitive and /or sensory disabilities.
The playground includes swings, catering for both younger and older children with physical disabilities, a hammock, an accessible sand pit, interactive and colourful murals, a “build it yourself cubby house” and many other exciting features. There are a range of tactile circular paths and animal sculptures that children can explore. There is signage in Braille and Auslan throughout the playground and an accessible water fountain. For seating there is bench style seating scattered throughout the playground.
Children’s play equipment and activities in the All Abilities Playscape.
Café
There is a café located approximately 50 metres from All Abilities Playscape. General access is via a sealed path through the playground. The café is located in a large building complex that also includes public toilets, a large function room, a ranger information desk and ranger offices. There is limited parking close to the café, consisting of three designated disabled car parking bays designed for side and rear disembarking passengers. These bays can be accessed by taking the 10km/hr speed limited service road, through the shared playground zone leading to the cafe.
There are two picnic tables outside the front of the café with overhang space at their ends for wheelchairs or strollers. The café entrance has large outward swinging doors (94cm opening for each door) making wheelchair access very easy. There is a small lip at the doorway entrance which maybe a problem for wheelchairs and strollers with small wheels. Once inside the foyer area of the building there is ample room for manoeuvrability and access to the café counter and seating. At the back of the café there is also outdoor seating which is under cover.
Disabled parking located near the café.
Front entrance to the café and this entrance has ample width for wheelchair and stroller access.
The rear of the café has a range of outdoor tables that are accessible from the outside sealed path.
Toilets in café building complex
There are designated separate women’s and men’s toilets in the café building complex. These can be accessed from inside the building or externally and are not accessible for wheelchairs. There is a separate unisex accessible toilet located in the building complex and this toilet can only be accessed externally. Access is by going around the side of the building. The accessible toilet has an outward swinging door and an entrance of approximately 750mm wide. The toilet cubicle is approximately 2.7 metres wide 1.8 metres deep. The toilet has grab railing on the left side and there is the option of having a removable railing on the right side also. There is a vanity basin with lever style taps. The vanity is quite low (approx. 69 cm from floor) and has underneath space best suited for children in wheelchairs. Near the entrance to the accessible toilet is an accessible water fountain.
Unisex accessible toilet and vanity located in the building complex and accessible from outside the building.
Walks
There are a number of park walks that start behind the café and these are well suited for visitors in wheelchairs and strollers, due to being wide and sealed. These paths eventually connect to the Brimbank River Walk which is relatively flat and also sealed. There may be some challenges for wheelchair users when returning back up the connecting paths to the café building and main car park, due to some steep sections.
Brimbank River Trail and one of the connecting sealed paths leading from the River Trail back to the café.
The walk to the Dodd Homestead can be accessed on the sealed path alongside the rear of the café. There are some hilly sections on this path with an approximate gradient of 1:12.
Picnic facilities - picnic area A
Around Car Park A at Brimbank Park there are a range of outdoor picnic sites for visitors to choose from. Most of these are located on the grass area and consist of picnic tables with gas barbecues nearby. There are also some rotundas with picnic tables scattered through the park. To access the rotunda in the picture below, there is a sealed path leading from the carpark. For most other facilities, visitors are required to walk from the car park over the grassed areas to the picnic sites. Most of the picnic tables under the rotundas are not designed for wheelchair access.
Barbecues and rotunda in picnic area A.
There is a toilet block that services the picnic area. This consists of designated male and female toilets and an accessible toilet. There is a sealed path that leads from the car park to these toilets but the path is quite steep, particularly if you are coming from the picnic area.
Toilet amenities servicing picnic area A.
Picnic Area B
Access and parking
Picnic Area B is located approximately 500 metres from Picnic Area A. This can be accessed by vehicle to the carpark, or via the connecting scoria trail allowing wheelchair access. This trail, beginning beside the giant platypus, is relatively flat but does have a descending slope down to carpark B. There is a large car park that accommodates approximately 120 cars for this picnic area. There is one designated disabled parking bays which are designed for rear disembarking. These are located a few metres from the toilet block which services Picnic Area B.
Accessible parking located near toilet facilities that service picnic area B.
Toilet facilities
The toilet block consists of designated men’s and women’s toilets and a separate unisex accessible toilet.
Unisex accessible toilet in the toilet facilities.
Picnic facilities
Behind the toilet block is a 50-metre sealed path that leads down to the lawn area where the picnic tables and smaller children’s playground are located. The path has a gradient of approximately 1:14 and the track surface is crumbly in sections. There is a second accessible path that leads down to the picnic area located at the other end of the car park in the Maribyrnong River direction. The picnic tables are located on an open grass area and some picnic tables are located under rotundas. There are also gas barbecues located near some of the picnic tables.
The 50-metre sealed ramp that leads down to the lawn area where the picnic tables and small children’s playground are located.
Picnic Shelter 2 and children’s playground at picnic area B.
On the other side of the car park there are more picnic tables located under a long shelter, serviced by a gas barbeque. These are very close to the car park making them easy to access for wheelchairs and strollers.
Disabled parking bay outside picnic shelter 1 in picnic area B.