Swanview Walk Playground, Point Cook

Location:

I came across this park when I used to walk Benny along the wetlands bikepaths, from home all the way to Hacketts Road and back again. I don’t think I would’ve found it otherwise, as it is a little off the beaten track.  The park hasn’t got a lot of equipment suitable for toddlers, but Jack still had a ball, and it showed off his daredevil side!

Equipment:

  • Big slide
  • lots of climbing apparatus for the big kids
  • round circling turntable
  • 2 x swings
  • 1 spring see saw
  • bike track/ walking paths lead on to several other parks, close by
  • wetlands opposite the park

Jack liked:

the rubber mounds built for the scooters to jump over! He thought they were the best toddler ‘hills’ ever! The only concern was Jack tumbling down the other side once he got momentum up!

Saltwater Reserve Playground, Point Cook

Location:

This park sits within the Saltwater Reserve – the area is a huge complex of sporting ovals and also has Point Cook’s only off-lead (fenced) dog park. There is heaps of space to run, play and also plenty of parking.  The surface is made of both tanbark and rubber- compound (under the swings and the slides are built on mounds of it). There isn’t a huge amount of shade at this point in time.

Equipment:

  • a plethora of swings (2 x normal, 2 x toddler harnessed, 1 x bear swing with exceptional seat belt harness – I would assume that this is for even younger bubs)
  • a few different slides
  • climbing ropes
  • nest swing
  • see-saw for 2
  • weird see-saw spring-loaded chairs (3 different types)
  • seated playground spinner
  • BBQ’s and drinking fountain

Jack liked:

the unusual teddy bear shaped swing. He made a bee-line straight for it so I’m assuming it’s either the shape or the colour that drew him in.  He was also happy trying to climb up the rubber mounds – although largely unsuccessful at getting to the top. He may have to wait for his little legs to grow more! I was actually amazed he didn’t make a run for the dog park as dogs generally get his attention quite fast. This park looks a little lacklustre, but there was more than enough to keep Jack occupied.

Spencer Street Playground, Point Cook

Location:

The playground is located just past the Saltwater Reserve sports grounds, on Spencer Street, which is in the Paragon Estate. The park is only small, but has the bare basics to entertain the kids and let them run off some energy.  The area is well fenced and appears to have connecting bike paths to both the local area and around the wetlands.

Equipment:

  • see saw
  • interactive house
  • swings (1 with baby harness, 1 x normal)
  • table
  • Other end of the park has some climbing apparatus and a nest swing. (suited to older kids)

Jack liked:

Watching the planes circling above and he also enjoyed playing in the house.  The house had steps and seats that Jack tried to climb up and doors to walk through. There were also multiple blocks in the garden, that Jack liked to run up to and sit on. One of the older kids that were at the park later on seemed to enjoy walking along the pathway of these blocks.