Greenway Bank, Waterhaven Estate, Point Cook

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Having stumbled upon this playground, while checking newly listed houses on realestate.com.au, I thought I’d venture here the morning of Mothers Day. The playground was quiet, except for one other Dad and daughter, and all the people walking their dogs along the waterways. I’m not sure how long the playground has been there, but you can see that there has been recent landscaping with the additions of new plants. I quite liked the cute little playground separated from the ‘bigger’ kids playground options. The cubby house is very colourful, and has quirky little bits for the kids to move and spin. This area also has a little slide, which made my 2 1/2 year old look like a giant! This would be a great area for the newly walking and exploring toddlers. 
The bigger kids area has a funky geometric climbing shape, with netting. There are also multiple swing types, and rotating poles. There is also a small section that contains a slightly larger slide and some climbing features. The park is complemented by beautiful views of the waterways, and has covered seating and BBQ’s. 

Equipment:

  • Toddler area
    • cubby house
    • small slide
    • car spring rocker
    • hammock swing
  • 2 swings (no toddler seat)
  • 1 nest swing
  • 1 large geometric climbing structure
  • Starsurfer
  • supernova
  • 2 spinning poles
  • Larger slide and play structure
    • climbing net
    • rockwall to climb up to slide
    • fireman pole
    • see saw
  • large grassed area

Jack liked:

Jack ran straight for the junior area, yelling at me to hurry up – this is always a good sign. He went straight for the little slide, and slid his motorbike down first. He then ventured to the cubby, before moving onto the car rocker. Jack was less than impressed that I had a go on the starsurfer, and the spinning poles, as he demanded that I get down. We moved onto the larger play area where he easily climbed the rockwall to go down the slide. He then got extremely tired and demanded to go home, which cut short our play here – the joys of taking a toddler out!  It’s a great area for those with smaller kids, and I could easily see this being a favourite place for those looking for a birthday BBQ venue during those first few years. 

Haven Estate Playground, Tarneit

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Located:

The playground is located on Eventide Avenue, Tarneit, in the Haven Estate. It sits closely to, but fenced from, the Vline Train line, just before the Tarneit Train Station. For Jack, adding a train at a park is a huge bonus! He loves to watch them go speeding past. This playground is slightly unusual in colour – dark timber and bright orange accents. This playground excels in showcasing different climbing aspects for the kids. I love the bright orange meandering balance walk . There are covered BBQ and seats on site, but please do clean up after yourselves! The BBQ’s were far from clean when I visited. 

 

Equipment:

  • swings – 2 toddler harness, 1 nest swing, 2 normal swings
  • 1 meandering balance walk, with orange poles to assist balance
  • Bending, spinning 2 person rocker 
  • 1 large structure
    • 1 large slide, 1 smaller slide
    • spider netting, climbing net
    • monkey bars (fixed bars, moeving rings)
    • totem pole walk
    • rock climbing wall with rope 
    • tunnels
    • stairs
    • moving bridge
    • climbing poles
    • steering wheel, tic tac toe
    • gym equipment on far edge of park

Jack liked:

As I said above, he sat waiting patiently for the Vline train to pass through, and he thought it was amazing. This playground appeared to be a bit big for him, but he found plenty to keep himself occupied. He could easily navigate the smaller section, with the smaller slide, tunnels and bridges. I had to help Jack onto the larger structure so that he could go down the slide. This at least makes the larger slide only accessible to kids who can climb really well. He was happy playing shopfront in the lower levels of the playground. The nest swing is low to the ground, so kids can fall into and out of it, with ease. We took Jack’s favourite soft toy with us, and Sully got a push in the swings too. Overall, a great little community park, that would be nice to have a BBQ at. Plenty of grass for the kids to run around and kick a ball too! 

Somers Parade Playground, Altona

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Located:

Sitting opposite the shops on Somers Parade in Altona (near the corner of Maidstone Street) is this little playground. We ventured over for a play after stopping by the bakery and picking up some items for lunch.  For the kids who like watching buses, the bus stop is also within viewing distance from the playground. 

 

Equipment:

  • spring rocker
  • 2 slides
  • 2 swings, one with toddler harness
  • steps
  • fixed bridge
  • binoculars
  • fireman pole
  • spinning pole
  • varied monkey bars
  • balancing walk
  • high net
  • abacus
  • steering wheel

Jack liked::

Playing in the smaller cubby-type playground, having a ride in the spring rocker and fighting his dad for the baby swing! The larger section of playground held little interest for Jack. The steps leading to the smaller section were fine for going up, but fairly narrow for Jack to come back down and he had a few issues. If he went down the slide everything would have been better! 

Harefield Crescent Playground, Kealba

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Located:

This playground is around 25 minutes from home, in Kealba. It’s nestled in a quiet street and from memory, I think I remember that this playground was freshly updated in August 2016. The orange colouring is quite striking and makes even the big adults want to run and climb on the huge net structure. There’s a lot of different textures in this playground – Jack loved running over the bridge, jumping along the rubber mounds, and looking at the dry riverbed from the bridge. There is also some grassed areas, and walking paths around the park. 

 

Equipment:

  • half basketball court
  • flying fox
  • 1 large geometric climbing structure
  • 3 swings – 1 infant harness, 1 harnessed swing
  • hopscotch
  • BBQ, covered picnic tables, drinking water
  • 2 play structures
    • 3 slides
    • several types of climbing ladder
    • steps
    • shopfront
    • steering wheel
    • moving bridge
    • monkey bars
    • tic tac toe
  • bridge 
  • frog spring rocker
  • nest swing

Jack liked:

The giant lizard etched into the rubber mounding of the flying fox. He happily walked along the body, jumped up and down the hill and liked investigating the playgrounds pathways. He could easily access each part of the playground equipment, had a go on the swing and we played shops for ages! He was cautious on the bridge, but was happy going down either of the slides. We didn’t go on the nest swing or the large climbing net structure. The playground was empty on the weekend that we ventured here, but it is such a good looking playground! Jack really enjoyed it here! 

The Grove, Tarneit

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Located:

I love new housing estates, and this one is no exception. A great little playground to entertain the kids, built alongside the land sales office, and this one has a gorgeous cafe space attached (Little Growling Cafe). The first time we came here, Jack noticed the huge blue and green intertwining slides immediately! I then pointed out the cows grazing across the road. We came mid-week and there was no problem with finding a car spot, or getting a table in the cafe. The cafe is designed with open alfresco doors that show off the playground, and even allow parents to sit and watch their little ones at play. The playground (when we originally came here) was fully fenced, but we noticed on the second visit, the gate was removed on one of the entries. The playground showcases a local frog species, and has motion activated Growling Frog noises and the statues show the lifecycle of tadpoles to frogs. There is a grassed area that also sits beside the playground and toilets are available (between the cafe and the land sales office).

Equipment:

  • 2 large intertwined enclosed tunnel slides
  • soft rubber material for the ground
  • wooden ramps to smaller slide
  • 1 leaning pole
  • 1 spinning pole
  • 2 in ground trampoline mats
  • 1 spinning cup
  • 1 flying fox (the full harness has been removed, and there is now only the small seated pole to hold onto)
  • 1 nest swing
  • 1 large net climbing structure
  • rubber stepping pods
  • supernova (spinning/balance ring)

Jack liked:

He always likes sitting on and climbing on the frogs and listening to them growl/croak. The first time he came here he could sit in the harness for the flying fox, but by the time we came for another visit, the seat was changed, and definitely suits bigger kids only. He happily ran up and tamp multiple times to go down the smaller slide, but thankfully the bigger slides were locked until the land office opened them later on. He loves having a jump on the trampoline too. Although not a huge playground, there is generally enough to keep the little ones entertained, especially while the parents enjoy a coffee!

Maritime Cove Community Park, Port Melbourne

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Located:

This playground, is hidden, nestled between huge walls of the Dock complex, and the beach that overlooks Princes Pier, where the huge ships beckon. If you head along Todd Road, and turn onto the side road, before seeing the Life Saving Victoria building, you will eventually find a car park. Towards the end of the car park, you can see the playground start to peak out from behind the coastal tea trees. The whole area has been beautifully landscaped and works with the natural surroundings. Several people have used the gorgeous bike paths to ride down to have a play. There were a few shipping containers that people were also using to house some birthday parties – a very popular place!

Equipment:

  • large sand/grit based play
    • separated into toddler play
      • smaller timber climbing structure, with steps, footholds, small slide
      • large sand play wall
      • digger
      • turtle and seal statues
      • boat structure
      • spinning tyre
      • spinning bowl
    • majority of the remaining play encompasses nets and climbing
      • large net climbing walls
      • balance net walks
      • timber structure with large metal slide
      • moving bridges
      • fireman pole
      • sand play
  • several buoys/channel markers that the kids can climb on – added footholds, ladders
  • water play area
    • driven by the action of the see saw or the hand pump. Quite a workout to get the spray out!
    • channel play in another area

Jack liked:

climbing into the channel markers, and climbing up the poles to have a lookout at the whole area. Once I figured out he was happy to walk on the sand with his shoes off, he was more excited about exploring the area. He loved the sand play wall and tipping the dish of sand into the spouts or onto the balance dish and seeing where the sand went. The playground was quite busy on the weekend when we visited, and Jack loved helping his dad pump the water and wet everyone in the water play section. A lot of the playground is still too advanced for him, but this is a playground I will return to when Jack is old enough to climb and explore by himself!

Brimbank Park, Keilor

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Located:

Jack and I came to check out Brimbank Park, after having a play at the Pirate Ship Playground, as it was close to the freeway, to head back home. We didn’t stay too long as the weather turned just as we headed for the car. Once you navigate the drive through the park, and find a car park (extremely easy, even on the weekend we visited) the playground beckons with cute statues of animals for the kids to find, pat and climb on. The area backs onto The Brownstone Cafe, which would be handy for a quick coffee pick up – we didn’t get a chance to visit though. We only had time to wander the pathways and visit the giant platypus, before heading for the car. We will have to plan another visit here, and bring Jack’s bike, to get a great tour of the all the parklands.

Equipment:

  • pathway maze
  • multiple animal/food statues – frogs, platypus, dog, ravens, cow, cheese, peas, tomato
  • multiple signs in Braille and Auslan
  • multiple swings, with toddler harness
  • hammock swing
  • there is more information provided on the Parks Victoria page that details the accessible nature of this playspace

Jack liked:

the statues – he exclaimed that the tomatoes were yum (totally a first for him) and ran up to the dog to give him a pat and a hug. He was too young to follow the maze and to understand the directions, but he was happy to find different textures in each area. He loved climbing on the giant platypus and pointing to the planes flying overhead.

Arbourton Avenue (Stage 4 Park, Woodlea), Rockbank

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Located:

This playground is located in the ever popular, Woodlea Estate, on the corner of Muster Drive and Arbourton Avenue (Head to the Woodlea Boulevard playground, turn right at the roundabout and follow that down, you will see the new park straight ahead). It’s the second playground space to open and the attention to detail, really shows! It’s a smaller playground to the impressive play-space, located on Woodlea Boulevard. The BBQ facilities and covered seating will make this a very popular place to visit. It’s only a short distance from the Go West Eatery, which means mums and dads are happy that they can get a coffee along the way!

Equipment:

  • Multiple covered seating areas with separate BBQ facilities
  • drinking water tap
  • 1 large ‘bottle–shaped’ climbing structure, with soft rubber slide. Steel ladder and netting to get up to the top
  • 1 wooden structure
    • slide
    • ladder
    • stairs
    • steering wheel
    • fireman pole
    • net climbing
    • cylindrical steel ladder
    • timber wall with footholds
  • Obstacle course
    • climbing net elements
    • balance walk – wooden beams
    • Net bridges and balance walks
    • monkey bars
    • separated by rubber mounds
    • rubber stepping stones
  • nest swing
  • natural stone pathways to navigate and discover
  • 4 swings, 2 toddler harnesses
  • large timber poles with climbing holds
  • soccer ground, with goals
  • small adult outdoor gym (push ups, bench press, leg press)

Jack liked:

trying to do the biggest jumps he possibly could! He jumped between the rubber stepping stones and he tried jumping off all the rubber mounds as well. I had to remind him that jumping off the stone pathways was not a great idea! This playground is well thought out, and different zones highlight what the kids can do. Jack was too small for most of the obstacle course. He could hold my hand and walk along the timber balance beam, but was too short to hold the hand rails for all the net climbing.

Jack did climb up the large ladder, by himself, to get to the bottle shaped structure. I followed him up, and went down the rubber slide (already warm in the morning sun). He decided unfortunately, that he didn’t want to go down the slide with me, which meant a very awkward slow climb back down the large ladder! He was more than happy playing in the timber structure where the ‘normal’ slide is.  The swings were also a winner. I think that we will have to come and visit once Jack is older, taller and more able to climb by himself. The outdoor gym equipment I had to try, and Jack  attempted to follow what I was doing with the bench press and push ups.

Riverside Park, Aberfeldie

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Located:

If your kids love the idea of running around a Pirate Ship, then this playground area, located on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, has to be a must visit! Plenty of off-street parking, toilets and BBQ facilities make this play area suitable for an extended stay. The kids can steer the ship, walk the plank, ring the bell and check out the pirates treasure!

What I didn’t realise, was that there are an additional few areas of playground facilities, right next to the Pirate Ship, but unfortunately, time has not been friendly to these areas. I did spot council signs detailing the proposed changes to Riverside Park, and I look forward to coming back and visiting when all the works have been completed – it looks like one awesome playground design!

Equipment:

Pirate Ship Playground

  • Wooden ship, set in sand
  • easy access ramp to get to ship
  • rope ladder
  • timber plank
  • 2 person slide
  • ramp with ladder to pull yourself up
  • tunnel
  • steering wheel
  • 2 bells
  • looking pole

Timber playground, suited for bigger kids

  • run down timber
  • chain ladders
  • slide
  • fireman pole
  • flying fox
  • broken see saw swing

Furthest playground from the ship – suited for toddlers

  • 2 swings, one with toddler harness
  • slide
  • moving bridge
  • steering wheel
  • see saw
  • shop front underneath

Jack liked:

When we parked and got out of the car, Jack immediately noticed all the bird life,and ran straight for them, with his little hands out behind his back. He liked the wooden sculptures of the pelicans  and frogs as well. We went to the pirate ship part, after that. He noticed the monkey above the slide first,and then as we climbed up the ramp, I showed him the bells that he could ring. Unfortunately he was a few centimetres short to ring them himself, so I picked him up to help. He liked investigating the shapes on the side of the ship – the shark, the treasure box and the anchor. He liked the toddler playground, further along, as well. He had a go on the swing, used the steering wheel, and mashed his face against the coloured perspex panel. I look forward to seeing what the redevelopment brings to the areas that have obviously been loved and used for many years.

Lollipop Hill Playground, Manor Lakes

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Located:

When you think about lollipops, you imagine lollies in a whole range of colours – and that’s something that this playground mimics beautifully! It’s instantly appealing, and makes the kids scramble up the edges to run off and explore. The playground surface is rubber compound,  and they have cleverly sectioned the playgrounds so that the areas that require better climbing skills, are not easily accessible to all the playground enthusiasts. This playground is located within Manor Lakes, in the Lollipop Hill estate. I’d never made the trip out, but will have to head back as there was so much to do, and in the middle of the week, we were the only people there! There are also covered BBQ facilities. The estate is still in development, and as such, there are lots of works going on. The parkland behind the playground, is yet to be fully completed.

Equipment:

  • covered BBQ and seating area
  • water tap (not working when I visited)
  • 2 sections of playground
    • Structure closest to BBQ’s
      • 3 slides (2 enclosed)
      • stairs and ladders allow access to the easier climbing sections
      • harder access points provide access to rope climbing and moving bridges
      • see through tunnels
      • lower level have built in TV screen play, a coin like maze and game of skill
    • Structure furthest away
      • climbing balls
      • see saw
      • nest swing
      • rope climbing structure
  • rotating 4 seat, up and down play piece 
  • Precision balls
  • giraffe, mouse and tiger rocker
  • 2 swings (1 with toddler support)
  • climbing rope structure
  • broken flying fox
  • basketball court

Jack liked:

There was a lot here for Jack to run and explore, and especially with his little friend, Liam, along for the ride. Jack was easily able to climb the stairs that led to the tunnel and the slide down. He later found a rope ladder he could climb, to get access to a different slide. The boys tested out all of the rockers in the area, taking turns to ride each animal.  Jack took a long time to warm up to the spinning see-saw thing, but Liam happily jumped on numerous times. Jack tried a few new climbing challenges, but mostly stuck to the familiar parts of the playground. The back section didn’t hold Jack’s attention as there wasn’t much for him to do. It’s a pity that the flying fox was broken – the cables were left hanging over the end poles.