Jack and the Benstalk

Located:

Between Queen Street and the Esplanade, this playground not only comes with beach views, but even has room to kick a footy or 3, and BBQ’s to top it off! There’s plenty of parking as well. If the kids get sick of running on the grass, it’s a skip and a hop before landing on the sand at the beach!

Equipment:

• standalone slide
• smaller slide in the toddler section
• 2 x swings, 1 with toddler chain
• monkey bars
• spinning pole
• pendulum see-saw
• spring rocker
• abacus
• grassed area
• BBQ’s

Jack liked:

Having a go in the fish rocker, although he also spent majority of his time being pushed in the swing by his Poppy. He was quite happy climbing on the toddler section of the park, and he didn’t venture too far into the other parts of the playground. Someone had brought a ball along, and once Jack has seen a ball, it completely monopolizes the play!

Located:

Off Saltwater Promenade, near the much loved Crocodile Park, is one of the original parks in Saltwater Coast. It is surrounded by running tracks, with different exercise stations set sporadically apart.  The area interlaces beautifully with the surrounding wetlands, and we were lucky enough on our visit to see a parent swan sitting on a nest.

Equipment:

2 different areas, aimed at different abilities and age groups.
The younger section:

• slide
• rock climbing wall
• 2 spinning poles
• 2 spring rockers
• climbing net

The more advanced section:

• Joined spring rocker, with 3 seats
• 3 spinning poles
• suspension swing
• rope obstacle climbing course
• 2 angular climbing structures

The area has multiple sheltered BBQ areas and seating. There is a toilet over Saltwater Promenade, opposite the display homes, and past the crocodile park.

Jack liked:

Walking along the different textured paths – rocks, decking etc. He was happy to have a climb on the equipment  and enjoyed the spring rockers and the slide. He was also happy pointing and waving at the swans. The only thing that worries me with this area, especially with toddlers that are able to run off in the blink of an eye, is the lack of fencing along the boardwalks. I was very hesitant to let Jack wander too close, especially if he tripped on the decking around the waterways.  Daddy swan was a little territorial (as can be expected) with mummy swan sitting within easy viewing from the decking. So if you do head down, be sure to keep a little bit of space between the nesting parents.

Located:

Along Kingsford Drive, in the Kingsford Estate. This park and playground is nestled between the waterways and surrounded by houses. The bike paths along the water allow you to visit a few other parks in the area as well. The BBQ facilities and sheltered seating area are a welcome addition. There’s adjoining fields for the kids to run around and kick a ball as well.

Equipment:

• Covered seating, BBQ facilities, water
• rotating see saw (which I need to come back to – the big kid in me, is desperate for a go!)
• flying fox
• 2 swings, one with toddler support. The toddler swing sat a bit low, and Jack’s legs would rub on the ground if he had them pointed straight down.
• 1 medium slide, built into rubber mound
• 1 spinning pole
• climbing appartus, with another slide. The big climbing collection was set off the ground, and he steps were too far apart for Jack to use. It would be suitable for older children with longer leg spans
• spring rocker was taped off at one point as it is half-removed

Jack liked:

the swings, and the slide. He was more than happy climbing up the rubber incline to get to the slide, going down the slide and repeating the process. The day we stopped by, it was so cold that Jack had tears rolling down his face. So we didn’t stay and get to use the park to it’s full advantage. He was happy walking the gantry to the climbing section, as the floor was checkerplate and made a new noise when Jack jumped up and down. At the end of the checkerplate, the floor disappeared, to entice kids to climb on the next bit of equipment. So he thankfully would turn around, and run off to attempt going down the slide.

Located:

In an area I’ve never been to before, between Boardwalk Boulevard and Tom Roberts Parade, is this playground, suited for older kids. There’s a soccer field right next to the playground. The day we were there, it had been raining overnight, and the water remained pooled on the flat surfaces of the equipment. Jack thought it was funny to splash in the water, saturating his jumper.

Equipment:

• soccer field
• large slide
• vertical climbing apparatus
• chain ladder
• spider web climbing net
• balance totem pole walk

Jack liked:

Climbing up the ladder, the only piece of equipment Jack could really climb up! He would then use the hand towel to wipe down the slide, before coming down. This park, although soft underfoot with the rubber compound, is not suited to toddlers. It’s a park for those that love a good climb! The tall net-climbing tower had been fenced off at one point, but the tape had fallen away and was lying on the ground.

Located:

Off Dunnings Road, along Penton Way -this park is fairly basic with equipment, but has a large enough field to kick a football. We popped in for a visit before heading onto the Point Cook Town Centre and doing our groceries one Sunday afternoon.

Equipment:

• see saw
• spinner bowl
• supernova
• swings, 1 with toddler harness
• plastic climbing frame

Jack liked:

the spinning bowl. He sat in it a few times, at first unsure, but got to like it. He even let lion go for a few spins. He also attempted to give lion a seat in the swing and push him, but he forgot that swings go backwards, and it unfortunately knocked him over.

Located:

Situated in Innisfail Estate, surrounded by houses, and sheltered by big trees, is this small park. Although basic by design, it seems to incorporate all the basic necessities for a kids play area. I visited this park in May, so Jack was a little younger, and struggled with some of the climbing aspects.

Equipment:

• 2 swings, 1 with toddler chain
• climbing wall
• small house component on the bottom level
• tic-tac-toe, steering wheel
• medium, twist, open slide
• plastic ladder climbing structure
• bike/walking path circling the park

Jack liked:

Climbing up the slide, honking the imaginary horn on the steering wheel and just generally investigating the rocks that were in the area.

Located:

On Mason Street, close to the Newport station, and ever more importantly, right next to the recently reopened Leroys Cafe, is this cute little playground and reserve. Enough space for the kids to run off steam, and the ability for the parents to grab a decent cup of coffee, make this a very popular little place to visit on sunny days.  I ran into Leroys to grab a takeaway coffee, as it was absolutely packed on a beautiful, winter, weekend morning. The Newport library is being rebuilt, and will overlook this quaint little park when it finally opens.

This park has many memories – I used to go to playgroup in the centre that is now demolished, and I remember Mum taking both my brother and I to the Maternal Health Centre. It’s a place that I frequented many times during my year off on maternity leave, as Jack’s uncle Jeff used to work at Leroys.

Equipment:

• Close to Leroys cafe, and other shops along Mason Street
• grassed reserve
• 2 swings, 1 complete with toddler harness
• 2 slides, 1 curved, 1 straight. Both mid-height
• clock, tic-tac-toe, steering wheel, abacus
• straight ramp
• curvy solid ramp, leading to steps up to slide platform
• flexible hanging rings
• vertical hoop and disc climber

Jack liked:

He finally broke his slide-ban and happily climbed up the ramp and the stairs multiple times to get down the slide. He also enjoyed sitting on the swing, watching the older kids play. He loves the spring rockers that he can climb into by himself.