Playground

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.

 

Queens Park Playground, Moonee Ponds

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Located:

This is the second playground we visited while going for a wander around Queens Park. This is the playground that backs onto the Queens Park Outdoor pool (which also looked like a whole lot of fun for the littles). This area kept Jack amused for ages. There is plenty of seating and the huge trees provide an abundance of shade.

Equipment:

  • ramp entrance, with stepping musical notes
  • swings
  • bee spring rocker
  • seated spring rocker
  • wooden playground
    • 1 dual slide
    • 1 single slide
    • ladders, ramps with ropes to climb, curly ladders
    • incline narrow bridge walk
    • lilypad stepping bridge
    • monkey bars
    • numerous animal spring rockers
    • tunnels
    • wobbly bridge and fixed bridges
    • fireman pole

Jack liked:

Jack loved going along the red incline balance bridge. He was so proud that he could go all the way along, turn around and go back, and he’d clap himself when he did! He liked trying out the spring rockers, which were a bit different to other parks we’ve visited. As per usual, he was happy being pushed in the swing,  and loved trying out the slides.  A great play area that has a bit for kids of all ages.

Queens Park, Moonee Ponds

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Located:

Hubby had been suggesting visiting this park for a long time. With Jack’s new found love of his balance bike, we planned for Jack to go for a ride and to stop off and visit some playgrounds along the way. There are 2 playgrounds situated within the Queens Park precinct (plus a cafe and a swimming pool). I’ll add another post about the playground near the pool.
We walked around the lake, and found ourselves walking through a pathway that opened up to seating and a cafe! It was heaven for me, who was looking for her first cup of coffee for the day! Jack and Hubby got to have a play at the playground, while the cafe gave you a buzzer, that beeped and vibrated when your order was ready! How awesome is that! There was also plenty of seating and shade, toilets close by, and the cafe had a vegan section at the back too!

Equipment:

  • play structure
    • twisty open slide
    • tic tac toe
    • fixed bridge
    • stairs
    • steering wheel
    • abacus
  • spring rocker (4 seater)
  • little houses, complete with rooster on the roof
  • shop fronts
  • double bee spring rocker

Jack liked:

Jack loved taking his bike for a ride around the tracks- some were sneaky little paths, that had you ducking and weaving through the foliage. We loved watching the turtles surface, and crawl up the banks. The carp were happy bubbling away at the surface too. The playground near the cafe, had these adorable little houses, complete with steps, windows and roosters on the roof! Jack had a great time poking his head through them.

 

Lake Daylesford Playground, Daylesford

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Located:

This small  playground is located on the edge of Lake Daylesford, right next to the Boathouse Cafe . The ducks sit close to the bank, under the shade of a huge tree. We swung past Lake Daylesford on the way home, after our quick overnight trip to Creswick. The sun was incredibly hot, and without shading in the playground, we didn’t stay too long. The husband and I have previously walked along the lake on one of the many paths around the waterway. If you are feeling particularly adventurous you can hire a peddle/paddle boat (there were new owners when I visited – Lake Daylesford Pedal Pushers Boat Hire).  There are also toilets near the playground.

Equipment:

  • fenced playground
  • slide
  • swings (1 with toddler harness)
  • monkey bars
  • shopfront
  • chain ladder/plastic climbing ladder/ twirling metal frame
  • abacus

Jack liked:

Jack had been introduced to the idea of pretend shop play this weekend so he was more than happy to see another shopfront to ‘buy’ another chocolate frog! He was happy to see a set of swings and loved seeing the ducks come wandering up the banks to say hello.

Bridge Street Playground, Creswick

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Located:

We had a weekend away at Creswick, and obviously, we needed to check out the playgrounds in and around the area! We didn’t get any pictures of the new splash park/water play on Albert Street, but we did swing past this playground, located on Bridge Street, for an afternoon play. There are covered BBQ facilities and shady seating right next to the playground.

Equipment:

  • shopfront play
  • ramp/stairs/ladders
  • fixed wooden bridge
  • rubber bars to squeeze through
  • 1 slide
  • fireman pole
  • spinning pole
  • flying fox
  • monkey bars
  • various climbing structures – chain ladder, rope
  • disc walk
  • tic tac toe / seasons board

Jack liked:

The ramp as it made a bit of noise when he jumped and ran along it. He loved playing shopfront with Nanny too! Over and over, of course. And always asking for chocolate – way too adorable! The playground had several easy access points for him, but also features that would entertain the bigger kids who love to climb and jump.

Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park, Williamstown

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Located:

This playground is located on Battery Road, in Williamstown, which is opposite the footy oval at Cyril Curtain Reserve. On a clear day you can watch the container ships go in and out of port. The playground floor is made of soft fall which is great for those that aren’t quite stable on their feet and it stops the little ones constantly eating tanbark or sand. There are picnic benches, BBQ facilities and even toilets up further. On the day we played, I also took Jack’s balance bike with us, and we headed around the corner and onto the playground near the beach and botanic gardens. Great way to spend the morning.

Equipment:

  • 2 swings, one with toddler seat
  • 2 slides, 1 dual slide
  • rubber compound dolphins
  • pretend binoculars
  • ramp/ stairs/ chain ladder/ fixed wall, rope pull up
  • tic tac toe/ steering wheel/ clock
  • tunnel
  • balance disc walk
  • fireman pole
  • monkey bars
  • fixed bridge/ moving bridge
  • weaving in and out bridge walk
  • spring rockers

Jack liked:

When we first arrived, he headed straight for the fixed binoculars – he had no idea what to do with them, but he had a go. He also sat on the dolphin on the way through to the playground. We’ve played here before when visiting the Mamma Knows West market on at the function centre, at the footy ground, but I didn’t have my camera on me. Jack was more that happy to have another play here, as there is plenty to do. For the first time, he tried doing the bridge walk, where you need to weave around the metal posts, and he managed this quite well. We were here with a handful of other kids (school holidays) so I think he saw someone else and copied. After finishing having a play here, we grabbed the balance bike from the car, and headed along the bike path. We managed a ride all the way to the Botanic Gardens, and only 1/3 of the way back to the car, before Jack just got too tired.

Tatman Drive Playground, Altona Meadows

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Located:

This playground is located along Tatman Drive, Altona Meadows. It borders the Bay Trail bike path along the Cheetham Wetlands. There are BBQ facilities, picnic benches and a drinking water fountain.

Equipment:

  • 2 swings, one with toddler harness
  • 2 spring rockers
  • 1 playground structure
    • smaller and larger section linked by platform
    • 2 slides ; one smaller and one longer
    • floating lilypad walk
    • net climbing
    • stair climbing
    • ladder climbing
    • fireman pole
    • monkey bar/rings
    • steering wheel
    • circle to climb through
    • shopfront

Jack liked:

Although the park is small, it’s functional. There’s enough here  to keep the little ones entertained for a short while, before moving on. The park has easy climbing access for someone of Jack’s  and ability, with either the ladder or stairs being easy to get up. He’s still learning to climb the nets and more flexible materials. He was happy to have a swing and he could climb up onto the spring rockers easily.  Jack was kept amused as there was a dog at the park, who only wanted to have his ball thrown.