Soldiers Reserve, Werribee

Located:

This playground is located on Duncans Road and it easily spotted as you drive along the road. It’s within close proximity to Werribee Secondary College, and there is also a football oval in the same precinct. I parked in the side street, where there is heaps of parking and walked through to the playground. The area was deserted when I visited mid-week. This is a great playground if you had multiples of different ages and abilities. There are a few seats around for the parents too. It was also fenced off from the main road, for parents that have wanderers.

Equipment:

  • 2 playground sections
    • area suited for younger kids
      • slide
      • abacus
      • fixed stairs for climbing
      • steering wheel
      • fixed bridge
      • 1 frog spring rocker
      • 1 spring see saw (seats 2)
      • swings
      • clock
      • disc climbing walk
    • area suited for advanced climbers
      • twisty, open slide
      • spinning totem pole
      • swings
      • hammock swing
      • 2 x flying fox
      • multiple climbing frames (nets)
      • multiple climbing walls (rock climbing)

Jack liked:

the smaller playground to start with, but he did get extremely adventurous and climb through things that I never thought he would in the bigger, climbing area! He made it through a tunnel of nets, to reach the solid platform, before trying to climb up the ladder rope to the slide. Every time I thought he was safe and I’d take a photo, or try to, he’d take the wrong step, and fall slightly. This is definitely not a park to be away from the little, adventurous ones! He liked the slide, but there was no ‘easy’ ladder’ or pathway to get him up to the top by himself. I was thankful when he eventually retreated to the other area to climb up the stairs!

 

Price Reserve, Werribee South

Located:

Along the Werribee South Foreshore, this playground is nestled far enough away from the water to escape the wintry arctic breeze, but still within viewing distance of the water. You can park in O’Connors Road,  just before the general store. There’s also a large enough oval, so you can bring a footy and have a kick as well.  Plus if the kids get bored of this playground you can head to James D Bellin Reserve, a stones throw away! This particular day Jack and I visited, we swung past Wyndham Harbour Marina on the way home. Jack liked looking at the boats and climbing the large rocks that make up the breakwall.

Equipment:

  • 1 swing (no toddler seat)
  • 1 climbing frame
  • 1 flying fox
  • General playground equipment:
    • 2 slides
    • 1 moving bridge, 1 fixed bridge
    • abacus
    • fireman pole
    • tunnel
    • numerous climbing ladders to get up

Jack liked:

that there were a few different ladders he could climb up by himself. He loves walking over different textures, so for him the bridges are a fun item. He was also happy going down either slide.

Homestead Run, Seabrook

Located:

The playground is located on the corner of William Leake Avenue and Andrew Chirnside Avenue, Seabrook. It’s found just off Point Cook Road, and is easy to spot. There is a large oval, tennis courts and it’s also home to the Seabrook Community Centre. The park has mature trees, and does offer a bit of shade. One edge of the park is also fenced from the road. The kids that were here all loved going for a ride on the car.

Equipment:

  • large spring, rocker car to climb on
  • 2 swings, one with toddler harness
  • 1 merry go round
  • 1 kangaroo spring rocker
  • 1 set of playground equipment
    • tunnel
    • fireman pole
    • steering wheel
    • climbing ladders and poles
    • noughts and crosses
    • door/window

Jack liked:

the car! It was big enough to fit himself, his Uncle and the dog! There was a seat at the front with the steering wheel and enough room in the back of the car for all of us to fit! He went in the swing but struggled to climb up onto the playground platform to get up onto the slide by himself. He needed a boost every time to get up to start exploring. He hasn’t yet learnt to climb the poles to navigate upwards.
As a side note – Jack decided on this particular day that he was only going to wear his Ugg boots. I thought I took his shoes with me, as I was heading to his Uncles’s place and we had planned to walk his dog to the park, however, I managed to leave his shoes on the bench at home. This short trip to the park took double the time – thanks to Jack shuffling along in his (very cute!) giraffe Ugg Boots!