Best Parks in Richmond Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best parks option in Richmond to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Press is the one everyone knows. Northern Social is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Bridge Road and Victoria Street are major dining strips. Richmond sits in the Inner East corridor, 3km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best parks scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Richmond since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. North Bush Reserve

Size: 3 hectares Features: free parking, soccer pitch, cricket nets, community garden, skate park Best for: quiet walks

North Bush Reserve is one of Richmond’s most popular green spaces. At 3 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, kids on the free parking after school, and morning joggers doing laps by 6am — all without feeling crowded. The free parking is recently upgraded and the soccer pitch gets solid use on weekends. Parking is available on Bay Lane.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km and gently undulating with some shade. Come early on weekends — the free parking fills by 10am. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

Insider tip: There is a hidden bench near the back corner with the best view in Richmond.

2. Richmond Parklands

Size: 3 hectares Features: toilet facilities, basketball court, lake or pond, tennis courts, free parking Best for: quiet walks

Richmond Parklands is one of Richmond’s most underrated green spaces. At 3 hectares, it has enough room for morning joggers doing laps by 6am, weekend cricket and soccer games, and families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The toilet facilities is popular with locals and the basketball court is free to use. Parking is available on Bay Lane.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and sealed path suitable for cycling. Come early on weekends — the toilet facilities fills by 10am. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

Insider tip: There is a hidden bench near the back corner with the best view in Richmond.

3. Nina Reserve

Size: 15 hectares Features: picnic shelters, cricket nets, community garden Best for: weekend picnics

Nina Reserve is one of Richmond’s most popular green spaces. At 15 hectares, it has enough room for weekend cricket and soccer games, morning joggers doing laps by 6am, and elderly walkers doing their daily circuit — all without feeling crowded. The picnic shelters is popular with locals and the cricket nets was upgraded in 2024. Parking is available on Albert Parade.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km and well-maintained gravel. Come early on weekends — the picnic shelters fills by 10am. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

4. Cecil Bush Reserve

Size: 3 hectares Features: skate park, playground, netball courts, picnic shelters Best for: morning joggers

Cecil Bush Reserve is one of Richmond’s most spacious green spaces. At 3 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the skate park after school, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and morning joggers doing laps by 6am — all without feeling crowded. The skate park is excellent and the playground gets solid use on weekends. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and gently undulating with some shade. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

Insider tip: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

5. Richmond Parklands

Size: 3 hectares Features: amphitheatre, fitness equipment, basketball court, community garden, soccer pitch Best for: families with kids

Richmond Parklands is one of Richmond’s best-maintained green spaces. At 3 hectares, it has enough room for fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and kids on the amphitheatre after school — all without feeling crowded. The amphitheatre is recently upgraded and the fitness equipment was upgraded in 2024. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and sealed path suitable for cycling. Come early on weekends — the amphitheatre fills by 10am. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: There is a hidden bench near the back corner with the best view in Richmond.

Why Locals Stay in Richmond

Bridge Road and Victoria Street are major dining strips. Victoria Street is Melbourne’s Vietnamese food heartland. The best parks options here reflect Richmond’s character. For Richmond locals and anyone in the area, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.

6. Plenty Lake

Size: 3 hectares Features: basketball court, toilet facilities, bike paths Best for: quiet walks

Plenty Lake is one of Richmond’s best-maintained green spaces. At 3 hectares, it has enough room for families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, and weekend cricket and soccer games — all without feeling crowded. The basketball court is well-maintained and the toilet facilities was upgraded in 2024. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and well-maintained gravel. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

Insider tip: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

7. Richmond Common

Size: 3 hectares Features: netball courts, cricket nets, war memorial, community garden, free parking, off-leash dog area Best for: after-school sport

Richmond Common is one of Richmond’s most underrated green spaces. At 3 hectares, it has enough room for families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, weekend cricket and soccer games, and morning joggers doing laps by 6am — all without feeling crowded. The netball courts is popular with locals and the cricket nets is the best in the area. Parking is available on Bell Crescent.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and well-maintained gravel. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

8. Henry Lake

Size: 2 hectares Features: fitness equipment, amphitheatre, toilet facilities Best for: families with kids

Henry Lake is one of Richmond’s most popular green spaces. At 2 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the fitness equipment after school, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and weekend cricket and soccer games — all without feeling crowded. The fitness equipment is excellent and the amphitheatre is the best in the area. Parking is available on Bell Crescent.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and sealed path suitable for cycling. Come early on weekends — the fitness equipment fills by 10am. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

9. Richmond Gardens

Size: 8 hectares Features: off-leash dog area, basketball court, bike paths Best for: families with kids

Richmond Gardens is one of Richmond’s busiest green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the off-leash dog area after school, elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, and birdwatchers near the creek — all without feeling crowded. The off-leash dog area is recently upgraded and the basketball court is the best in the area. Parking is available on Bell Crescent.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and well-maintained gravel. Come early on weekends — the off-leash dog area fills by 10am. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

10. Nell Park

Size: 20 hectares Features: amphitheatre, netball courts, bike paths, tennis courts, soccer pitch Best for: quiet walks

Nell Park is one of Richmond’s most spacious green spaces. At 20 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, birdwatchers near the native garden, and elderly walkers doing their daily circuit — all without feeling crowded. The amphitheatre is popular with locals and the netball courts is free to use. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and sealed path suitable for cycling. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

Insider tip: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

Explore More

• Collingwood Best Parks — same vibe, different suburb
• Richmond Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Richmond Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Richmond Complete Guide — everything about Richmond
• Compare Suburbs — see how Richmond stacks up
• All Richmond Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best best parks options in Richmond?

Sunny Quarter is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Richmond good for best parks?

Yes. Richmond has 10+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.

What is Richmond known for?

Bridge Road and Victoria Street are major dining strips.

How far is Richmond from Melbourne CBD?

Richmond is 3km, 5min train, 8min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Richmond is the kind of suburb you move to for practical reasons and stay for the character. Give it six months. You’ll stop driving to the inner city for everything.

Last updated: March 2026