Month: April 2018

Thornhill Park, Rockbank

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Located:

If you can get past the temptation of playing at one of the many playgrounds at Woodlea Estate in Rockbank, this playground is another great option, and located just an extra 5 minutes down the road. Thornhill Park is another new housing estate, located quite close to the freeway exit. The playground can be found on the main entrance road to the estate, and as it comes into view, you can see the top of the playground peeking at you. The anticipation builds as most of the playground is sheltered from the main thoroughfare. Once you climb to the top to check the view, you can see what the playground has to offer. The BBQ facilities and seating areas were also exceptionally clean.  

 

Equipment:

  • large enticing rope climbing structure
  • Rubber mounds underneath the play structure gives different textures to run over
  • rubber bridge like structure, links to climbing structure
  • 2 metal slides
  • nest swing
  • 2 swings
  • 1 large rotating net structure
  • see saw
  • BBQ facilities, covered seating, drinking fountain
  • gravel based play with stepping paths made of letters and numbers
  • timber blocks to walk on and navigate through the gravel area
  • 2 diggers
  • large grassed area

Jack liked:

Playing in the gravel, digging with the diggers. I call it gravel by the way, but it’s probably a mix between gravel and coarse sand. He happily climbed up the steps to repeatedly go down the slides. We didn’t play here for very long, but only because we’d caught up with friends at Woodlea earlier in the morning and it was nearing lunch and nap time. We will be back – especially when he is a courageous climber as the net structure looked great to explore! 

Loyola Road, Werribee

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Located:

We ventured into a new area to check out the neighbourhood park, located on Loyola Road in Werribee. There’s a playground, dotted amongst a large reserve with a circular track and outdoor gym equipment stations. 

 

Equipment:

  • Large reserve, with gym equipment stations dotted around the area
  • 1 helicopter shaped play area with rope climbing, rock climbing, steps, mini slide and tunnel
  • 1 large rope climbing structure
  • 1 larger structure, with larger slide, fireman pole, and flying fox
  • 2 swings and a nest swing
  • spinner, spring rocker
  • basketball court, with soccer goals
  • skating edges, mini mounds
  • BBQ with covered seating

Jack liked:

The helicopter play area as he repeatedly headed back to climb and play. He walked along the edges of the garden beds and he tried out the swings and the spring rockers. Jack was too short for the extended flying fox but I managed to lift him up so that he could have a go. 

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, Castlemaine

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Located:

I’ve been told by many people that if you are ever in the area, it is worth swinging past the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens for a play at the playground. It’s a great little precinct and definitely worth dropping by.  There’s a huge covered seating area, toilets, and multiple play areas spread over a large area with gorgeous paths throughout the beautiful gardens. We brought along Jack’s scooter and rode down to the lake to have a look at the ducks. After a play at the playground we headed around to The Mill Castlemaine where hubby was impressed with The Taproom, while Jack and I loved an icecream from Icecream Social – the chocolate was delicious!  

 

Equipment:

  • play hut
  • train and carriages
  • see saw
  • bridge
  • 2 wooden structures, one with smaller slide.
    • speaking pipes
    • wobbly bridge
    • stairs
    • fireman pole
    • climbing nets
  • 2 sets of swings
  • nature inspired spring rockers
  • sand play
  • nature inspired branch play
  • balance walk
  • monkey bars, flying fox 

Jack liked:

Playing on the train! He ordered both of us to sit in the carriages. Another great part to this playground (for those that are train lovers) is that the vline trains run past quite regularly. Jack loved waving at the trains. The ducks were extremely friendly, and even though the path to the lake was gravel, Jack had minimal trouble scooting along the path. There was plenty to do for kids of all ages at the playground. Plenty of space to kick a football, or in our case, play a quick game of cricket too! And a quick drive up the road to The Mill, made Mum and Dad very happy! It’s a great area! 

Hopwood Park, Echuca

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Location:

We were lucky enough to have a spare weekend and headed up to Echuca for a mini break. Jack loved going for a ride on the Paddlesteamers along the Murray River. This playground is opposite the car park and loading ramps for most of the Paddlesteamers, so you can hear the Paddlesteamers departing and arriving back to dock. It is close to the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre, which means that toilets are close by too. The playground is fenced along the closest points to the major roads. It features a replica paddlesteamer steering wheel so that the kids can imagine that they too, are driving the big paddlesteamers. 

 

Equipment:

  • large boat shaped structure, with numerous climbing features including netting  and balance items
    • climb up the chimney to the top level with the replica paddlesteamer steering wheel
    • large enclosed slide
  • small house shaped structure with small slide
  • 3 swings, including high back special needs swing set
  • 2 spinning elements
  • spring rocker
  • giant turtle
  • seating, drinking water fountain

Jack Liked:

Jack loved steering the paddlesteamer! We had just finished our ride on the Canberra Paddlesteamer and had decided to check out the playground as the weather was starting to clear. He loved climbing up both the chimney and the netting at the front, to steer the wheel. He attempted the multiple climbing and balance elements and is always happy to have a swing as well. 

Aeroplane Park, Tarneit (The Grove)

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Located:

The Aeroplane playground, located on Stanhope Road, within The Grove Estate, Tarneit opened in March 2018. Since taking Jack here, it’s all he talks about and constantly asks to come back with friends so that he can fly the plane with them. The houses are slowly being built in the surrounding vicinity of the playground, so if you have a little one that likes watching the construction and the trucks coming and going, it is worth a visit. There are no toilets at this playground, or BBQ’s, however there is seating, some of which is undercover. 

 

Equipment:

  • one large playground structure shaped as a cargo plane
    • easy access ramp at the rear of the plane
    • multiple stations inside the plane with different educational games
    • Pilot and co-pilot seats and steering
    • smaller slide
    • standing spinning feature at the back of the plane
  • 2 swings, one with structured toddler seat
  • 1 large slide, with extremely large initial step that my 3 year old could only just reach by himself. This would limit youngsters climbing up the larger slide
  • 1 double spring perch 
  • 1 nest swing
  • spring rocker x 2
  • Seated areas, some undercover. Drinking tap is close to the playground as well.
  • Large grassed area

Jack liked:

Jack loved being a pilot and flying the plane. He constantly ran up the ramp to go back to having a go at steering and, as I mentioned earlier, is still waiting to return with his friends for a play. He also loved watching the trucks and the ongoing housing construction while we were here. He was happy investigating the games inside the plane as well.