Jack and the Benstalk

Located:

As you drive along Victoria Street, and head towards the bottom part of Altona Meadows,  this park is found when turning onto Sommers Drive.  For a local reserve, this playground has a diverse range of equipment, which is great for catering for a range of kids ages. There’s plenty of grassland to bring a ball and have a kick around as well. The trees are established and do offer some shade, and there’s even park benches to sit and watch the kids at play.

Equipment:

• a supernova
• a surfboard balance board
• spring crocodile
• 2 swings, 1 with toddler chain (on rubber based ground)
• 1 spring see saw, suitable for 4
• 2 spring rockers – koala & horse
• 1 spinning pole
• steel based structures
  • competent climbing structure
    • fireman pole
    • rope wall
    • different ladders to climb
    • monkey bars
    • slide
  • more accessible area
    • stairs
    • slide
    • narrow fixed bridge
    • steering wheel
    • telescope
    • doors underneath

Jack liked:

the accessible parts of the playground. He went up and down the slide countless times. He even started going down this slide forward – he’s always been a tummy down, and backward facing slide rider, so this was a huge step! He had a play on the spring rockers, and he’s always up for a swing. Actually the funny part was, that he was more interested in the construction cones that were meant to be blocking certain parts of the playground? He kept moving them, picking them up, trying to talk into them. The hardest part for me was trying to get him away from those!

Located:

Between Palmers Rd & Point Cook Rd, on the corner of Lewiston Drive and Willowgreen Way, is this reserve, complete with playground facilities. You can spot several other parks and playgrounds as you drive along Willowgreen Way, with this one being the furthest along the road (if coming from Dunnings Road).  I’m not overly familiar with this part of Point Cook, and am yet to visit the other areas. There was plenty of seating around, advanced trees, and it was quiet when we dropped by in the late afternoon.

Equipment:

• 2 swings, one with toddler chain
• 1 horse see-saw
• 1 koala spring rocker
• 1 main structure
  • 2 slides, one smaller to suit younger children
  • 1 larger slide, which Jack was unable to safely get to by himself
  • monkey bars
  • abacus
  • solid, curved, timber bridge
  • fireman pole
  • ladders to climb
  • chain bridge

Jack liked:

alternating between the rocker, the see-saw, the swing and going up and down the smaller slide by himself. Jack is yet to master the loose-chain climbing net and this unfortunately prevented him from getting up on the platform to go down the larger slide.

Located:

Near the corner of Stanley Street and the Strand, Williamstown. There is parking slightly further down from the playground, just be wary crossing the bike/pedestrian path as the bikes do tend to move along at some speed. We visited this park after having a play at the playground on North Road, and there is even another play area between these 2, however I kept going as the play area looked suitable for older kids.

Equipment:

• Boat themed park, complete with boat spring rocker
• fireman pole
• 2 swings, 1 with toddler restraint
• looped climber, ladder climber
• curved, fixed bridge
• small slide
• steering wheel

Jack liked:

the boat! He thought it was the best thing ever, being able to sit in the boat with his Uncle and steer it! He attempted jumping on the bridge and he happily climbed up onto the equipment to go down the slide. Eventually the birds caught his attention, and he raced off to impersonate and scare them off. It’s very cute the way that he tucks his hands out behind him to replicate the birds wings and tail ((or at least that’s what I assume he’s doing).

Located:

Hidden within Sanctuary Lakes, but easily accessible off the main Boulevard, is this small playground. It has views of the water fountains spraying up from the Lakes area, some basic equipment and a grassy area to run around and play.

Equipment:

• 2 sections, linked together by a bridge. 1 section suited for smaller kids
• 1 smaller slide, 1 larger slide with a wave in it
• ladders to climb, looped climber
• spring rocker
• fireman pole
• steering wheel
• tic tac toe

Jack liked:

Walking over the bridge, climbing up the ladders and going down the slide. After he got sick of that he ventured to the rocker. The playground area is elevated by about 80cm or so, to the grassed area below. There is a natural decline at one end of the park, and steps in the middle. Jack was perfecting his ability to go up and down steps, and asserting his bossiness by telling me where I had to sit. Unfortunately when we were there, a little girl tried to emulate Jack on the steps – she lost her footing and tumbled down the 4 stairs, hitting her head on the concrete below.

Located:

This playground area is located on North Road, right before you turn onto The Strand, and right before the gym. It felt great to be able to drive Jack to my old stomping ground, where as a kid I did a year of Little Ath’s and spend many cold wintry nights fishing at The Warmies.

Equipment:

• 3 sets of swings, only 1 out of the 6 has a toddler chain/harness
• net climbing structure
• 2 slides, one smaller than the other
• suspension bridge
• rock climbing frame structure
• 1 pole spinner
• 1 bicycle spring rocker
• steering wheel
• flying fox

Jack liked:

Hopping up and onto the bike rocker. He happily went for a spin on it! He also eagerly climbed over the suspension bridge and was happy to climb up to go down the slide. He had to patiently wait for his turn on the swing, but as it was not exceptionally busy when we were there (Sunday morning) he wasn’t waiting too long. There is a coffee shop on the corner of North Road and Douglas Parade (about 200m up the road) so you can grab a cup of coffee along the way.