Author: Shelley

Friar Park Place, Point Cook

Located:

Once upon a time, there was a sun-faded, sad looking playground, view-able by a lot of passing traffic along Dunnings Road. However, in some great news, and thanks to Wyndham Council upgrading some playgrounds over the next few years, there has now been a fantastic little upgrade, and it now looks a whole lot more appealing! We parked on Paola Cct, and walked along the path to have a play and see what was new. Having a 13 month old who pulls herself up, but isn’t walking, the addition of rubber soft-fall was great for her little knees and feet to investigate and crawl around. 

 

Equipment:

  • nature-based stepping stone pathway, 1 teepee
  • 1 nest swing
  • 1 swing with toddler seat and normal seat
  • 1 basketball half court
  • multiple seats
  • a couple of spring mounted animals (kangaroo and pelican)
  • target practice
  • 1 structure, with slide and flying fox
    • multiple ladders to climb to the top
    • mini house/shop play.

Jack liked:

Having a go at the different ladders to climb to the top of the slide. Although not specifically aimed at Lexi’s age or development, there was plenty for her to have a go. I was thankful for the rubber soft-fall so that she could walk along and crawl through the shopfront. I did however, have to pull her away from climbing some of the ladders. They both loved having a swing on both the traditional swings and the nest swing. 

Waldorf Avenue Playground, Point Cook

Located:

This playground, located on Waldorf Avenue and Crotona Way, is a small neighbourhood playground. The playground borders the wetlands, and there is temporary fences along one side, where housing construction looks due to start. This one was ok for Jack to burn off some energy, but I didn’t bother getting Lexi out of the pram as there was nothing for her to do (she’s currently 12 months  old and isn’t walking).

 

Equipment:

  • 2 tree-house designed pods, linked together by a moving timber/rope bridge
    • 1 slide 
    • 1 rope ladder
    • 1 fixed timber ladder
  • timber stepping pathway around the area
  • sheltered cover, with seats and tables
  • water tap

Jack liked:

The slide, and jumping along the timber stepping path, however, he lost interest quite fast, once he had done a few laps. 

Curlew Community Park, Laverton

Located:

Recently opened, this park, located on Epsom Street in Laverton, is a pretty amazing new edition for the area! We popped in for a quick play, and Jack was upset that he hadn’t managed to have a play on all the bits. I think the level of detail in the park is amazing, and it will look epic once the surrounding gardens have grown. Parking was plentiful on a weekend, and with 3hr time limits, should detract from people parking there to access the train station, midweek. With both BBQ’s and toilets, I can see this playground being used for a lot of birthday parties! 

 

Equipment:

A huge nature based playground, full of winding paths, balance items, and quirky little details. 
Covered BBQ area and toilets
A bike/scooter path loops around the areas, and it also has an awesome little pump track for all those that wish to have a go.
Basketball court and table tennis table. 

Sand area:

  • pirate ship, with wheel and binoculars
  • metal slide
  • water play

Tanbark & softfall area:

  • nest swing
  • spinning carousel
  • 2 trampolines
  • 2 swings
  • large net climbing frame, that leads to a larger slide

Jack liked:

taking his new scooter and trying out the scooter pump track. I liked that they had marked beginner, intermediate and more advanced paths on the pump track, so it was easy to advise the little ones what colour to stick to, based on their experience. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Checking out the new Curlew Community park in Laverton. Jack loved having a go at the pump track with his new scooter!

A post shared by Shelley Morgan (@jackandthebenstalk.com.au) on

Skinners Adventure Playground, South Melbourne

Located:

Skinners Adventure Playground is located within South Melbourne. This is one of a few playgrounds that are staffed within Melbourne. It offers a huge variety of things to do, not just climbing and jumping. Jack loved exploring here. This playground does have open/closed hours, so please check the website or call ahead to make sure they are open. If you are in the area, it’s well worth popping in to have an explore. 

 

Equipment:

I think that there are too many things to even list, plus we visited when Lexi was a few weeks old, so my memory is slightly lacking. There’s a huge variety of imaginative play, jumping, running, ball sports, exploring – basically you name it, and you can find it! 

Jack liked:

Shearwater Village Park, Werribee (Harpley Estate)

Located:

The playground is located on Treeve Parkway, within the Harpley Estate, Werribee. 
You could visit the other playgrounds within Harpley, or do as we did, and visit the Safari Park in the neighbouring estate. 

 

Equipment:

  • outdoor gym stations
  • half basketball court
  • covered bbq and seating area
  • drinking water fountain
  • 2 swings plus one with supported seat
  • 1 large play structure
    • 2 slides (metal)
    • rock climbing wall
    • ladders
    • noughts and crosses underneath the structure
    • rubber underneath the playground, suitable for younger kids
  • 1 large net climbing area
    • multiple ladders, linking to nests
  • spinning net structure 
  • nature based stepping stones 

Jack liked:

the climbing areas and the slides. He had a fall at a previous playground, and had been cautious, however, he seemed to have found his confidence and enjoyed all aspects of this playground. He went up and down the slides multiple times. 

Addison Park, Williams Landing

Located:

Recently opened, this playground is located on Airmaid Drive, Williams Landing. It combines an aviation themed wooden playground, a beautiful walking path and gym stations around the wetlands. There is covered seating next to the BBQ facilities. It was a popular little playground when we visited on a Sunday. 

 

Equipment:

  • Wooden play structure
    • linked with moving bridge
    • climbing nets
    • flying fox
    • monkey bars
    • curly slide
    • small double slide
    • fireman pole
    • rock climbing entry, ladder entry and steps
  • two swings, one with harness
  • spinning seat
  • sandpit
  • grassed area
  • bbq facilities

Jack liked:

The flying fox, the climbing apparatus and the swings. He happily ran off towards the gym equipment for a look as well, before having a last play on the way home. He asked me to read all the names on the propellers that lined the sandpit. 

Mirka Way, Point Cook

Located:

This playground can be found on the corner of Mirka Way and Rialto Street, within Point Cook. We love a themed playground, and this one is cute for the kids as they play under the flight paths of the planes from the nearby RAAF Base.  I still have yet to take the kids to the museum at the RAAF Base, reminder, must do! 

 

Equipment:

  • plane themed climbing structure
    • seat to fly the plane accessed by climbing net
    • small enclosed slide at rear of plane
    • 2 tunnels as engine mounts
  • sandpit
  • nest swing and other swings

Jack liked:

Sitting in the cockpit! However, he was nervous getting to the area the first time. We visited here in March 2019, and Jack was 4 years 4 months old. He has days where he is confident, and days where he’s not so. This playground doesn’t have a lot to do for children that lack confidence in climbing and navigating the nets. 

Horace Street, Point Cook

Located:

On the corner of Horace Street and Bensonhurst Parade, in Upper Point Cook.  Parking is plentiful around the playground. The area also has a large grassed area with football goals as well. Also within riding distance is a funky pump/bike track (which Jack loved and is begging to go back to).

 

Equipment:

  • large net climbing structure and attached slide
  • large rope climbing wall
  • mini slides x2
  • swings x2
  • spring see saw
  • bug spring rocker
  • water play
  • bridge
  • sandpit
  • seated area, not fully covered
  • outdoor gym equipment
  • drinking water tap

Jack liked:

The water play! I don’t know why he loves water, and Melbourne’s weather was not ideal for water play, but still I had to drag him away! 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Upper point cook’s new bike /pump track! Little bit of fun the other day. Jack’s itching to go back. #upperpointcook #parks #playgrounds #biketrack #jackandthebenstalk

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St Leonards Playground

Located:

The fenced playground is located near the main shopping strip of St Leonards, and right next to the boat ramp, on the foreshore. The kids have a great view of the bay as they enjoy the swings. The playground offers a range of basic equipment, but does also offer seating to enjoy a bite to eat. 

 

Equipment:

  • swings x 2
  • 2 climbing structures
    • slide
    • climbing nets
    • balance walks
    • ladders
    • fireman pole
  • 1 spring boat 
  • 1 spinning cup
  • 1 balance post walk
  • 1 double spring perch

Jack liked:

that we grabbed some lunch and ate at the tables within the playground. However he had a nervous time eating as the seagulls are fairly intrusive! Poor little munchkin dissolved into tears whenever the seagulls attempted to steal his chips. We were only here briefly, but enjoyed the day trip, and used the playground as a good excuse to run some energy out before heading back to the car, and home again. 

Week in the life of…

March

Week 9 (March 3 – 9)

The first week of Autumn, and I noticed that the trees in the street were already turning. We visited a plane playground not far from home, and we celebrated Lexi being 2 months old. We tempted fate, by booking a holiday months before Lexi was due, and had decided that at 8 weeks old, was a great time to fly! For the record, Lexi did an amazing job. We flew from Melbourne up to Brisbane, and then drove from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. We had booked a special deal at SeaWorld for 5 nights, which also included theme park entry. The deal was so great, that we ended up travelling with Nanny, as well as a few friends. I think Jack had a great time! We stopped on the way and James took Jack in a tandem go kart around an indoor track. He looked so freaking adorable with his gigantic helmet on. Although I’m not sure he loved going too fast. We met up with James at Movie World on Saturday, after they finished their backstage tour, and Jack got to meet his favourite superhero, Batman. His even booed the Joker, much to the Joker’s disgust! 

Week 10 (March 10 – 16)

I was lucky enough to wander in and out of Seaworld, and this time I saw the Polar Bears on multiple days! I could honestly watch them for hours. They remind me of Ben – maybe Ben was a polar bear in a previous life??? I had also figured out where all the cold areas were in Seaworld – the heat and humidity was horrible. I was so conscious of the heat on poor Lexi, especially while being in the pram. It was a hard balance between keeping her cool, and out of the sun and not being stuck in the room for days. We would head back to the room so that I could feed her in some comfort. Jack went to Top Golf with James, Evan, Sarah and Glen, and then he showed us how to do it, when we dropped in on the way back to the airport. I love the mini set of golf clubs that the kids get, and despite not being a golfer, I even had fun and managed to score a few points!  

Week 11 (March 17 – 23)

Jack was invited to a friends 4th birthday party at the Altona Miniature Railway (check out that cake!) and afterwards I headed out to celebrate a friends baby shower! I was slightly apprehensive about the drive with Lexi, to the other side of town, all by myself. You could say that she’s not the best at being a passenger. She seems to like filling her nappy and then screaming as soon as she has done it! Lexi is getting to be more expressive, with more awake times. Jack took his collingwood teddy and collingwood jumper to kinder today – it was harmony day, and the kids had the chance to dress up in cultural dress. Footy is a form of culture, right??? I also had the chance to take Jack to fitkicks for a makeup session – before Lexi was here, I would go each Saturday morning. This year though, Lexi seems to either need to feed or sleep at the same time that the class is on. It was lovely to spend some time with him, doing the things that we used to do! 

Week 12 (March 24 – 30)

We enjoyed a family lunch at South Wharf, didn’t enjoy leaving the car park after someone stalled their car and rolled into the front of mine. But at the end of the day, it was a little bump and it will be fixable. Jack then showed me around the St Kilda Adventure Playground. He had been here previously with James, on a boys day out. Lexi and I caught up with my mummy friends for a trip to the Werribee Zoo. The unfortunate thing about kinder being on a Tuesday this year, is that he misses his catch up with his little friends. It’s just a reminder of what is to come when school starts next year.