Month: August 2016

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.

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.