At Bareena Park, the giant koi fish slide is the star attraction. Kids dash to the water play zone. Families spread out at their favourite picnic spots. Riders zip around the learn-to-ride circuit. Swings, spinners, mini soccer pitches and outdoor exercise gear keep the whole park alive with energy.

This is not a park you walk past and forget about. Families settle in for hours, making the most of everything on offer. That’s why the details matter. Upgrades at Bareena Park and Fairfield Heights Park show how smart investment transforms everyday parks into true destinations. At Bareena Park, adding public drinking water right where people need it changed the game.

FROM LOCAL PARK TO COMMUNITY DESTINATION

Bareena Park didn’t just get a quick makeover. Fairfield City Council invested over $3 million to turn the park into a go-to spot for families and active community life. Hundreds of families turned up for the reopening. That’s proof of how important local parks are for community life. The new-look park has it all. There’s an eight-metre-tall koi fish rope climb and slide, a learn-to-ride circuit, mini soccer pitches, exercise equipment, swings, carousels, rockers, seesaws and plenty of shaded picnic spots.

With so much to do, people are using the park in new and exciting ways. A quick stop often turns into a full afternoon. The playground becomes the place to meet. A local reserve becomes part of the weekly routine for families. The longer people stay, the more important the basics get.

THE CHALLENGE: SUPPORTING LONGER VISITS IN A BUSIER PARK

Bareena Park now attracts families, riders, walkers and children across the day. That’s a win for the community. It also means the park needs to offer more. Shade, seats, toilets and play gear all add comfort. Drinking water is a must for longer, more active visits. Without easy water access, families buy bottled drinks, leave the play area to find a tap, or head home early on hot days.

For a park built for action, that’s a real problem. Bareena Park needed a tough drinking water station, made for crowds and families, and placed right where it counts.

THE SOLUTION: AQUAFIL ACCESS WHERE PEOPLE ALREADY MOVE

A Civiq Aquafil drinking water station sits along the main walkway, easy for everyone to find and use. That spot does the heavy lifting. Parents refill bottles during breaks. Kids grab a drink and get straight back to play. Cyclists and walkers top up without missing a beat. The station offers bottle refills and quick drinks, right where everyone can see and reach it.

It fits perfectly with how people already use the park. Good public infrastructure fits naturally into daily routines. It provides convenience without making visitors change their routes.

THE OUTCOME: A BETTER PARK EXPERIENCE FOR FAMILIES

The upgraded park brings play, shade, fitness, sport, picnics and bike riding together in one vibrant spot. The Aquafil drinking water station makes the park even more useful, supporting visitors from the moment they arrive until they head home. Now, everyone knows where to refill. Kids stay hydrated right near the action. Families use fewer single use bottles. It might not be the park’s flashiest feature. But it quietly does a big job for the community. It’s the kind of detail people love when they need it. They use it without thinking and really miss it if it’s not there. That’s what makes it so valuable.

WHAT COUNCILS CAN TAKE FROM BAREENA PARK

Bareena Park proves that smart infrastructure can make a great park even better. A drinking water station doesn’t need to stand out. Put it in the right spot. Make it easy to reach. It becomes part of every visit. If you’re planning a park upgrade, put hydration on the list with shade, seats, toilets and access. It’s all part of a great public space. The best drinking water station sits in the heart of the park, not tucked away at the edge. It’s the one people spot, use again and again, and come back to every time they visit.

Now’s the perfect time to check your park amenities. Whether you’re adding refill points, upgrading old fountains or getting ready for busier spaces, hydration should be on your list. Try Civiq's Park Fountain Selector to find the right fit, or book a Free Hydration Review with the team. Theyll help map current locations, identify gaps and plan a refill solution built for long-term performance across parks, playgrounds and community spaces.

Visit Civiq via the links below to learn more