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JJ Holland Park

JJ Holland Park is located in Kensington and covers more than 10 hectares. The park offers a range of facilities including sports grounds, a skate park, picnic areas and The Venny adventure playground.

A football ground in a park with mural

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.

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

Image
Off-lease map of JJ Holland Park

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

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.

JJ Holland Park

our acknowledgement

  • Torres Strait Islander Flag
  • Aboriginal People Flag

The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. 

 

We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.