Rocks Riverside Park’s recently upgraded water play area has become a topic of community discussion, with some parents reporting injuries to their children whilst authorities maintain that the facility meets safety standards.
Read: Rocks Riverside Park Upgrade Shuts Days After Reopening
The water play area at the popular 26-hectare Seventeen Mile Rocks facility underwent a multi-million-dollar upgrade, with the 23-year-old installation being redesigned to improve functionality. The renovation was completed in time for the summer school holidays, welcoming families back to the riverside attraction.
Following the initial reopening, some parents shared photographs on social media showing their children with various injuries, including cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Several families commented about the surface being slippery, prompting concerns within the community.
In response to these reports, authorities closed the facility for additional works, describing the decision as taken out of “an abundance of caution.” Contractors were engaged to address the surface issues before the area could reopen.
The water play area was reopened for a second time on Thursday, 22 January, with Cr Tracy Davis, LNP Chair for Parks and Sustainability, attending to provide information about the remedial works.
Following this second reopening, some parents have continued to report concerns. Parents have continued to share photographs and express concerns on Jamboree Ward Cr Sarah Hutton’s Facebook page. Reports from those experiencing difficulties have shifted from concerns about slipperiness to comments about the surface texture.
One resident noted that whilst the surface may not be slippery, it felt abrasive, describing it as sharp and like sandpaper. Another parent mentioned that their children experienced issues within the first five minutes of their visit, with both children affected.
Authorities have pointed to the age of the original facility as a factor in undertaking the comprehensive redesign. The water play area was part of the park’s original opening in December 2003, making it more than two decades old at the time of renovation.
“If you’re using the water play area, the surface may feel fairly coarse in the first few months. This is normal and will ease over time as more people use it and the surface wears in,” BCC stated in its website.
“We urge anyone using the water play area to remember the surface is not designed for running and is best enjoyed at a slower pace.”
Cr Hutton’s office has also invited parents who have concerns to provide details via email to jamboree.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au, indicating that feedback is being collected and monitored.
The broader Rocks Riverside Park continues to serve as a community gathering space, offering playgrounds, barbecue facilities, and 800 metres of Brisbane River frontage. The park features public art and industrial artefacts that reflect its history as the site of the Queensland Cement and Lime Company operations, with a crop patch reflecting the site’s farming heritage.
Read: Free or Budget-friendly Activities at the Rocks Riverside Park in Seventeen Mile Rocks
Parents planning to visit are encouraged to be aware of the surface characteristics and supervise children appropriately. Those who experience any issues are being asked to report them through official channels so that feedback can be properly documented and considered.
The coming weeks will provide more information about how the upgraded facility performs under regular usage conditions, and whether the current surface treatment addresses the concerns that have been raised by some members of the community.
Published 4-February-2026
