Playground

The park

Jack sized slide! Perfect for climbing up, of course!

…or sliding down backwards

Lots of easy climbing options

More climbing options

Cubbies & tunnels on the bottom level

open parkland, riding tracks

More equipment over the other side of the park

Location:

The park is located in the middle of, what I call, a gigantic roundabout, on Lennon Boulevard. There are lots of cycle paths around it, BBQ’s, a half court basketball court, and swings and slides.  I drive past it daily, and had noticed that it appeared to be a great height for Jack. The slide is smaller than normal, with plenty of easy-to-climb things for both the little ones, and the slightly bigger ones. The only downside is the lack of parking and Lennon Boulevard has a lot of passing traffic.

Equipment:

• mini slide, medium slide
• bendy bridge
• climbing ramp with footholds
• window and door cubby house
• tunnel
• monkey bars
• climbing balance poles
• swings located in opposite section of park
• half-court basketball court
• cycle/walking paths

Jack liked:

the mini slide as he was able to climb straight up it, and felt comfortable enough to go down by himself. He also liked the ramp to climb up that had footholds and molded handholds in it. The moving, bendy bridge was a new one for him. He wasn’t too sure about walking over it unless I was holding his hand. He decided the safest way to get across it, was to slide on his tummy, do a 180 degree turn, and then crawl back up, after he got to the lowest part. Definitely one of the more toddler friendly parks that I have come across (so far).

The view of the playground, across the lawns

The equipment

Climbing the stairs

Jack at the top, looking down

sitting on the concrete statues out the front of the zoo

Location:

At the Werribee Zoo (K Road, Werribee)! Has a grassed area nearby and picnic tables to sit and watch the kids at play. Plenty of shady trees as well. The zoo has heaps of different play areas (water play at the hippo beach during summer, for example). So this will definitely be a work in progress post.

Equipment:

• swings
• climbing apparatus
• tower
• balls to slide along the poles
• slide

Jack liked:

sliding the balls along the poles.  He liked hearing them clunk against each other as they reached the bottom. Jack climbed the stairs to the top tower. To be honest, we didn’t stay too long, as the day we were there, the bees were swarming in the trees at the back of the playground. I didn’t really feel up to finding out how Jack would go if he got stung, so decided that I’ll have to come back soon.

The park

Double slide (Large)

Peekaboo!

Toddler slide

Location:

The park is located along Bronhill Vista, between Tom Roberts Parade & Palmers Avenue. There’s plenty of parking along the edge and there’s walking/ cycling tracks through the park.  There are mature trees in the area and BBQ’s close by. Most of the park is tanbark, with a few rubber spots under the swings.

Equipment:

• 2 x standard swings
• 2 x baby swings
•  smaller slide suitable for toddlers
• larger double slide
• lots of climbing equipment
• monkey bars/ rings
• springy bouncy thing
• moving board
• spring see saw

Jack liked:

the cubby house window- he thought peekaboo was a bit of fun. We were there with a few other kids and Jack is at the age that older kids fascinate him. He tried climbing on everything, but he is not comfortable with the ramps to get to the slides, when they have holes in them.

The playground

One Buggy

Two Buggies

Soccer pitch

Twin slides

Rock climbing

Mini slide

Medium Slide

Large Slide

Location:

Nossal Drive & Tom Roberts Parade Point Cook. All tanbark play area, plenty of grassed area for playing. Bike/walking path through the park.

Equipment:

• 3 choices of slide sizes
• 2 swings (1 suited for baby/toddler)
• 4 springy bugs (grasshopper, ladybird, bumblebee, snail)
• easy climb ramps similar to rock climbing wall
• metal platforms that were feeling warm to touch (it was a warm day)
• plenty of seats to watch the kids play
• Soccer field with metal nets

Jack liked:

Being able to climb up different platforms especially the ramp with the footholds in it. He also enjoyed chasing the magpies. I wish there was more shade over the playground, but there are at least a few trees around.

The view of the back of the park

Jack attempting to climb the rubber mound

Undercover BBQ area

smaller slide

Bouncy bus

Location:

Corner Hargrave Avenue & Kingsford Drive, Point Cook (Kingsford Estate). There is another (very cool) park just up from here that I’m yet to try out.
The park has bike paths circling the equipment, and plenty of open space to kick a ball. There are BBQ facilities, with some cover as well as a water tap (drinking fountain including one for the puppies). Mostly tanbark, with a few soft, rubber areas.

Equipment:

• New park with modern equipment
• swings including baby/toddler safe harness
• curly tunnel slide, medium slide, large slide
• lots of climbing equipment (tad out of age range for poor Jack)
• rubber climbing mound with foot/hand holds
• springy bus (steering wheel moves)

Jack liked:

The BUS! I had to pry him away from it, and then he screamed all the way to the car! He could sit and turn the wheel, stand up and bounce, and get on the bus floor and try and clear away all the tan bark on the bottom of it. When I first got to the park, I thought Jack may have had fun on the rubber mound, until we got closer. It is steeper than I thought and I had to guide him up. Thankfully he knows how to slide his way back down safely. The smallest slide was too hard for him to reach by himself – I think there were 3 platforms that he had to climb up. This is a great park, but more suited to when Jack will be taller and able to climb.

The play equipment

Steps leading to the slide

Wander over to the beach

Watching the wind surfers

Running to the swings

Watching the planes fly over

Location:
On Queen Street, opposite the golf club. Close to the off lead dog area, and to the walking/cycling path through to Altona or Altona Meadows. Is also within toddler walking steps to the beach. Has BBQ’s and drinking fountains close by. If you’re not a dog lover I’d probably avoid this park, as many people walk their dogs past and they stop for a drink at the fountain. Extremely quiet when I was there though.

Park Equipment:

• Smaller slide for the littlies, a medium size for the bigger kids.
• baby/toddler swing with chain
• normal swing
• tanbark around equipment
• numerous climbing pieces

Jack enjoyed:
watching the kite surfers (from a distance). One decided to come along the beach, and Jack wasn’t exactly thrilled with that. We also had numerous planes come over and Jack liked pointing those out.