Morpeth Common (also known as Ray Lawler Reserve) was upgraded in 2022 and besides new play equipment in the playground, this popular picnic spot also includes a new sealed car park and toilet block.
It’s a nice spot to visit if you’re on a day trip to the Maitland/Morpeth area. Kids can spot ducks, swing, climb on the balancing and climbing equipment and play in the dry creek bed.
The new nature-based playground features two small climbing pyramids. These are smaller than your regular climbing pyramid and suited to kids aged under ten. They have a softfall and woodchip base.
There’s also a dry creek bed, made from small and large rocks and stones. Kids can traverse the larger rocks. Toddlers and younger kids will need to be supervised and older kids will need to take care as the rocks are uneven and irregular, however, they are cemented in so they won’t move.
The creek bed is made from smaller stones. These stones have been glued down and sealed which was a bit disappointing as the kids naturally gravitated towards playing in the woodchips instead, a lot more dirtier than the stones would have been.
My kids aged 6 and 8 really enjoyed the balancing structures, consisting of steps and beams made from timber logs and a rope bridge.
There’s a spider web swing here as well and, in the late afternoon, it was shaded by one of the many large trees. There wasn’t a lot of shade over the other playground equipment at this time of day so don’t forget to pack hats and sunscreen.
Wide paths, perfect for scootering or skating on, connect the different elements of the park.
The kids’ favourite thing, by far, on our visit to Morpeth Common were the ducks. There is a lovely large, fenced duck pond that is home to many breeds of duck including Chestnut Teal, Black Ducks, Pekin Ducks and Moorhens.
Most of the ducks are very friendly and will swim up close looking for food. If you want to take food to feed them, ensure that it’s suitable for wild ducks.
If you follow the path at the back of the playground, around to the right, you will come to a small bridge and, from here, you’ll have the best view of the ducks swimming.
With its beautiful, relaxing ambience, it’s a peaceful feeling to stand and watch the ducks. Just be careful with little ones as the pond isn’t fenced on the other side of the bridge.
Walk over the bridge to a large, grassed area with substantial shade provided by beautiful big fig trees. This would be a lovely place to lay out a picnic rug. It’s also a picturesque spot to snap some family photos.
There’s also lots of shaded picnic tables overlooking the playground and nearby cow and horse paddock plus two undercover barbecues if you prefer a barbecue lunch.
The new toilet block comprises a unisex toilet/parents room, a unisex accessible toilet and three unisex toilets.
If you have visited Morpeth Common in the past you might be disappointed to find that the council have removed the old fenced and shaded toddler playground. That, along with the irregular rocks in the creek bed, means the playground is now more suited to kids aged 6-10.
If you’re visiting the Maitland area, Morpeth Common is an ideal spot to stop for a packed lunch or pack the car and head out for a day trip, it’s a 40 minute drive from Newcastle.
Good to know:
Address: Edward Street, Morpeth, NSW
Parking: A large, sealed car park
Public Toilets: Yes, including accessible toilets and a parent’s room
Water Fountain: Yes
Picnic Facilities: 6 x undercover picnic tables
BBQ: 2 x undercover gas barbecues
Café Nearby: A number of cafes in Swan Street, less than 5 minutes by car
Accessibility: Accessible toilets and wide, wheelchair-accessible paths
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