Richardson Parkway Playground, Point Cook

Located:

In an area I’ve never been to before, between Boardwalk Boulevard and Tom Roberts Parade, is this playground, suited for older kids. There’s a soccer field right next to the playground. The day we were there, it had been raining overnight, and the water remained pooled on the flat surfaces of the equipment. Jack thought it was funny to splash in the water, saturating his jumper.

Equipment:

  • soccer field
  • large slide
  • vertical climbing apparatus
  • chain ladder
  • spider web climbing net
  • balance totem pole walk

Jack liked:

Climbing up the ladder, the only piece of equipment Jack could really climb up! He would then use the hand towel to wipe down the slide, before coming down. This park, although soft underfoot with the rubber compound, is not suited to toddlers. It’s a park for those that love a good climb! The tall net-climbing tower had been fenced off at one point, but the tape had fallen away and was lying on the ground.

Penton Way, Point Cook

Located:

Off Dunnings Road, along Penton Way -this park is fairly basic with equipment, but has a large enough field to kick a football. We popped in for a visit before heading onto the Point Cook Town Centre and doing our groceries one Sunday afternoon.

Equipment:

  • see saw
  • spinner bowl
  • supernova
  • swings, 1 with toddler harness
  • plastic climbing frame

Jack liked:

the spinning bowl. He sat in it a few times, at first unsure, but got to like it. He even let lion go for a few spins. He also attempted to give lion a seat in the swing and push him, but he forgot that swings go backwards, and it unfortunately knocked him over.

Menzies Avenue Playground, Point Cook

Located:

Situated in Innisfail Estate, surrounded by houses, and sheltered by big trees, is this small park. Although basic by design, it seems to incorporate all the basic necessities for a kids play area. I visited this park in May, so Jack was a little younger, and struggled with some of the climbing aspects.

Equipment:

  • 2 swings, 1 with toddler chain
  • climbing wall
  • small house component on the bottom level
  • tic-tac-toe, steering wheel
  • medium, twist, open slide
  • plastic ladder climbing structure
  • bike/walking path circling the park

Jack liked:

Climbing up the slide, honking the imaginary horn on the steering wheel and just generally investigating the rocks that were in the area.

Paine Reserve, Mason Street, Newport

Located:

On Mason Street, close to the Newport station, and ever more importantly, right next to the recently reopened Leroys Cafe, is this cute little playground and reserve. Enough space for the kids to run off steam, and the ability for the parents to grab a decent cup of coffee, make this a very popular little place to visit on sunny days.  I ran into Leroys to grab a takeaway coffee, as it was absolutely packed on a beautiful, winter, weekend morning. The Newport library is being rebuilt, and will overlook this quaint little park when it finally opens.

This park has many memories – I used to go to playgroup in the centre that is now demolished, and I remember Mum taking both my brother and I to the Maternal Health Centre. It’s a place that I frequented many times during my year off on maternity leave, as Jack’s uncle Jeff used to work at Leroys.

Equipment:

  • Close to Leroys cafe, and other shops along Mason Street
  • grassed reserve
  • 2 swings, 1 complete with toddler harness
  • 2 slides, 1 curved, 1 straight. Both mid-height
  • clock, tic-tac-toe, steering wheel, abacus
  • straight ramp
  • curvy solid ramp, leading to steps up to slide platform
  • flexible hanging rings
  • vertical hoop and disc climber

Jack liked:

He finally broke his slide-ban and happily climbed up the ramp and the stairs multiple times to get down the slide. He also enjoyed sitting on the swing, watching the older kids play. He loves the spring rockers that he can climb into by himself.

Lincolnheath Boulevard Playground, Point Cook

Located:

in Lincolnheath Estate, not far from home, is this small but functional playground. Jack and I visited on a winter Sunday afternoon, and we were virtually the only ones around. It is hard to find a place to park a car, which would suit those that are within walking distance. It has a water fountain, BBQ facilities and undercover seating.

Equipment:

  • slide
  • climbing ladder, vertical disk climber, climbing rope net
  • 2 swings, 1 infant suitable
  • monkey bars
  • snowboard rocker, boat rocker
  • see saw rocker
  • tic tac toe
  • steering wheel
  • burmese bridge low level  rope walk

Jack liked:

being able to rock the boat, without falling off. The snowboard rocker had more movement, and he struggled to stand up on it and rock without being able to hold onto something. He was also happy to climb the ladder up to the top level in the playground. He was however, on a slide strike, so once up there, he’d demand for me to pick him up and bring him back down to ground level. He was also happy sitting on the see-saw opposite mum as well.