- Picnic facilities and barbecues
- Playground
- Drinking fountains
- Seats
- Public toilets (2)
- Sports grounds (3)
- Dog off-leash area
- Circular walking track
- Skate park
- BMX track
The park was named for John Joseph Holland, Member for Flemington for more than 30 years from 1925.
Previously known as ‘Seagull Swamp’, JJ Holland Park was created in the early 1960s, with the first concept plan for JJ Holland Park developed in 1998.
The large multi-use park contains sporting grounds, a BMX track and skate park, picnic and barbecue areas and a large children's playground. There is also the Bill Vanina Sports Pavilion, recognising the 50 years of service to both junior and senior sport that Bill Vanina gave at Holland Park.
The park also contains The VennyOpens in new tab and its adventure playground which has provided supervised play for the children of Kensington for over 35 years.
In the northern corner of the park sits the Kensington Community Children's Co-operativeOpens in new tab childcare centre, and the Kensington Community Recreation CentreOpens in new tab with a range of facilities including an indoor pool and gym.
Things to do
- Enjoy ample picnic and barbecue facilities at the eastern and western ends of the park.
- Use the outdoor sports and recreation facilities including the half basketball court at the eastern end of the park, and BMX track and skate park at the western end of the park.
- Walk the perimeter walking track for a great work-out.
- Let your dog run free in the designated off-leash areas.
- Get involved in the many team sports played at the park, including touch, soccer, cricket, basketball or Australian Rules Football. Check the directory of sporting clubs and information about sports ground use and permits.
- The Kensington Community Recreation CentreOpens in new tab is currently being rebuilt and is expected to open in early 2025.
![A square-shaped building in a park](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/gallery_small/public/2024-06/jj-holland-park-1200-001.jpg.webp?itok=uMB5N41o)
The Bill Vanina Sports Pavilion was refurbished in 2013
It boasts changerooms, a social area and commercial kitchen.
![A sports oval in a park](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/gallery_small/public/2024-06/jj-holland-park-1200-002.jpg.webp?itok=UnvsDfjR)
Dogs are allowed off-leash on the two ovals but not on the synthetic surface or in the playground
![A skate park with different feature in a park](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/gallery_small/public/2024-06/jj-holland-park-1200-003.jpg.webp?itok=yVswkII0)
The Extreme Sports Precinct has a large skate park and BMX track
There is also a public toilet, barbecue and picnic facilities.
![A playground with silver steel poles and a slide](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/gallery_small/public/2024-06/jj-holland-park-1200-004.jpg.webp?itok=9DspN6VX)
The playground was rebuilt in 2021
It features tall towers joined by a rope bridge, a rope dome, swings, slides and bouncing mats.
![A sporting oval with Australian Rules Football goals](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/gallery_small/public/2024-06/jj-holland-park-1200-005.jpg.webp?itok=vGlCxC8s)
A view of oval number one
![A square-shaped building in a park](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/gallery_small/public/2024-06/jj-holland-park-1200-001.jpg.webp?itok=uMB5N41o)
The Bill Vanina Sports Pavilion was refurbished in 2013
It boasts changerooms, a social area and commercial kitchen.
![A sports oval in a park](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/gallery_small/public/2024-06/jj-holland-park-1200-002.jpg.webp?itok=UnvsDfjR)
Dogs are allowed off-leash on the two ovals but not on the synthetic surface or in the playground
![A skate park with different feature in a park](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/gallery_small/public/2024-06/jj-holland-park-1200-003.jpg.webp?itok=yVswkII0)
The Extreme Sports Precinct has a large skate park and BMX track
There is also a public toilet, barbecue and picnic facilities.
![A playground with silver steel poles and a slide](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/gallery_small/public/2024-06/jj-holland-park-1200-004.jpg.webp?itok=9DspN6VX)
The playground was rebuilt in 2021
It features tall towers joined by a rope bridge, a rope dome, swings, slides and bouncing mats.
![A sporting oval with Australian Rules Football goals](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/gallery_small/public/2024-06/jj-holland-park-1200-005.jpg.webp?itok=vGlCxC8s)
A view of oval number one
Playgrounds
The large playground offers fun and challenges for all ages. It includes colourful play towers, a rope climbing dome, swings and slides landscaped in a naturalistic way.
There is also The VennyOpens in new tab, a staffed adventure playground which is open most days after school, Saturdays and school holidays.
For more information, see Playgrounds.
Dog off-leash areas
![Off-lease map of JJ Holland Park](https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/styles/large/public/2024-04/jj-holldand-park-500.jpg?itok=36fZw_8o)
Sports grounds
Seasonal sports grounds for hire include cricket, multi-use synthetic, Australian Rules Football and soccer.
For more information, see Sports grounds and facilities.
Designations, policies and plans
- JJ Holland Park is classified as a Municipal Open Space in City of Melbourne's Open Space Strategy.
- JJ Holland Park projects
- Metro TunnelOpens in new tab - Western Tunnel entrance construction in Kensington
How to get there
Catch Werribee/Williamstown trains to South Kensington Station, or the 402 bus down Kensington Road.
See PTV Journey PlannerOpens in new tab for public transport information.