The great park table standoff: When ‘saving your spot’ goes too far

Every grandparent knows the drill—you arrive at the park early to snag the best picnic table for the family gathering, maybe throw down a tablecloth, and hope for the best. But what happens when ‘saving your spot’ turns into ‘hogging the space’ for hours while other families swelter in the sun?

That’s exactly what unfolded at Sydney’s popular Greenacre Splash Park last Friday, creating a community storm that has parents and grandparents across Australia debating the unwritten rules of park etiquette.

The incident that sparked outrage

The scene was set at the $6 million Greenacre Splash Park, a state-of-the-art water playground that opened in early 2023 and has quickly become a huge hit amongst Canterbury-Bankstown locals.

On the last day of the NSW school holidays, with families eager to make the most of the sunny weather, someone had arrived early and decorated three picnic tables with pink tablecloths and ‘happy birthday’ bunting.

The problem? They then disappeared, leaving the tables sitting empty for hours while other families arrived to find no shaded seating available.

The splash park operates from 10am to 6pm during its seasonal period from October to March, and with parking already noted as an issue during holidays—with recommendations to arrive early—competition for prime spots is fierce.

A spokesperson from the South West Sydney Kids Facebook page witnessed the drama unfold.

They arrived at 9:30am, noticed the set-up, but respectfully left the tables untouched for two hours. By 11:30am, with no sign of the party-goers and desperate families sitting in the blazing sun, they decided to ask council staff for clarity.

When the rules became clear

The council’s response was unambiguous: Greenacre Splash Park is free for public use, and tables cannot be reserved in any way, shape or form. Several families then made the decision to claim the abandoned tables.

When the original family finally arrived at 12:30pm—a full three hours after setting up their decorations—they found their ‘reserved’ tables occupied by others enjoying their lunch in the shade.

‘Council was great and went straight over and explained to the family that they can’t book the tables so they would need to wait for others to choose to leave before taking over tables,’ one witness said.

Credit where it’s due—the birthday family handled the situation with grace. Rather than creating a scene, they waited patiently nearby until a table became available about half an hour later, showing the kind of community spirit that makes Australian parks special places.

Why this park is worth the fuss

Understanding why families were so determined to secure these particular tables helps explain the tension.

The park’s popularity is no accident. This state-of-the-art water play park was developed as a premier western Sydney destination for zero-depth water and inclusive play, established as an all-ages, all-abilities play space.

The community speaks out

The incident struck a nerve with hundreds of people commenting on the Facebook post, with reactions ranging from understanding to outright indignation.

‘Sorry but if I rocked up and no one’s there for a while, I’m taking a seat,’ one person commented, summing up the sentiment of many.

Another added, ‘Imagine being that entitled you think you can take up all three tables.’

The witness who reported the incident put it perfectly: ‘I think it is OK to set up early in a park if your party is starting early and you stay with your gear. But it is disrespectful to others if you set up and you are not coming back for hours, as you are depriving others from fully enjoying the park in those hours you are not using the park.’

Park etiquette for the modern family

This incident highlights the need for some common-sense guidelines when it comes to public park use, especially during peak times like school holidays.

Park etiquette essentials:

• Arrive when you plan to use the facilities, not hours beforehand
• If you must set up early, stay with your setup or have family members present
• Be prepared to share—public facilities belong to everyone
• During busy periods, limit your table time to allow others to enjoy the space
• Remember that decorations don’t equal reservations in public spaces

For grandparents planning family gatherings, consider these practical alternatives: choose less popular times (weekday mornings, non-school holidays); have backup plans for seating (portable chairs, picnic rugs); split larger gatherings across multiple smaller tables; consider parks with more extensive facilities or table availability.

Council sets the record straight

The City of Canterbury-Bankstown was crystal clear in their response: ‘Users are reminded that the tables are free for the community to use and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.’

They added an important reminder: ‘Placing items on the tables and leaving them unattended is not a reservation. We urge all park users to respect each other and to only use the tables if they are at the park. The tables cannot be reserved, either formally or informally.’

This policy reflects the approach taken by most Australian councils—public facilities are exactly that, public, and available to all community members on an equal basis.

The bigger picture

This Greenacre incident reflects a broader challenge facing Australian communities as population density increases and quality public facilities become more sought after. With 22 free water playgrounds across Western Sydney alone, competition for the best spots during peak times is inevitable.

The key is remembering that these spaces exist for everyone’s enjoyment. Whether you’re a grandparent organising a birthday party or a family seeking relief from the summer heat, a little consideration goes a long way.

The birthday family’s gracious response when confronted with the rules shows the Australian spirit at its best—adaptable, respectful and community-minded.

Their willingness to wait their turn, rather than demand special treatment, turned what could have been an ugly confrontation into a learning moment for everyone involved.

As we head into another busy summer season, this incident serves as a timely reminder that our public spaces work best when we all play by the same rules.

Key Takeaways

• A family attempted to reserve three picnic tables at Sydney’s Greenacre Splash Park by decorating them early in the morning, but they left the area unattended for hours while others searched for shade.
• Council staff confirmed that public tables at the splash park cannot be reserved in any way, prompting other families to use the vacant tables before the birthday group arrived.
• When the family returned around 12:30pm, they accepted the rule and waited calmly until another table became available—earning praise for their patience and community spirit.
• The incident reignited debate about park etiquette in Australia, reminding visitors that decorations or early setups don’t guarantee reservations and that public spaces are meant to be shared.

What do you think? Have you encountered similar situations at your local parks? How do you handle busy public spaces when planning family gatherings? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!