TOP PLAYGROUNDS INNER MELBOURNE NORTH

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1 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE1 of 13 TOP 25 PLAYGROUNDS IF YOU HAVEN T TRAVELLED BEYOND YOUR OWN SUBURB, YOU MAY BE MISSING OUT ON THRILLING ADVENTURES. OUR REPORTERS CRISSCROSSED MELBOURNE TO GIVE YOU A GUIDE TO FINDING THE BEST SPOTS FOR KIDS INNER MELBOURNE Royal Park Nature Play, Gatehouse St, Parkville Highlights: water and sand play, high ropes course, nature play Intrepid explorers including older kids will love challenging themselves on the high ropes course at this new nature-based playground on the city s doorstep. A fantastic water play area includes a pump and gates that open and shut to fill a rock-lined creek leading down to a big sandpit where kids are kept busy digging and building in the wet sand. There are also rocks and logs for clambering on, another rope climbing structure, several swings including a birds nest swing, three slides, lovely natural landscaping, barbecues and picnic tables. A separate water play area has several water jets where toddlers can run and splash. A steep grassy hill is great for littlies to roll or run down. The water play is great on a hot day, but the playground has almost no shade. While many parents rate this as the best playground in Melbourne, its downside is the lack of toilets. Parking can also be tricky. Alma Park Adventure Playground, Alma Rd, St Kilda East Highlights: long flying fox, cave, spinning Supernova, next to oval You can easily spend half a day in this amazing playground with loads to do for all ages. The senior playground includes a cave with glittering mosaic tile entrance climb up a ladder through a hole in the roof then zoom back down a fireman s pole through another hole. The cave forms the mouth of a wondrous imaginary creature known as the slug. The junior playground is a castle with wave slide, tunnel, steps, ladder and hand-carved wooden animals. There s also a big wooden ramped structure with spiral slide, twin slides, fireman s pole, rope net wall, ladder, steps and binoculars. Equipment is well spread with the closest next to busy Alma Rd with no fence so watch toddlers. Lots of trees and shade and not much traffic noise in most of playground. Barbecues and several picnic tables, including some with shade, plus water taps. Finding street parking can be tricky. Skinners Adventure Playground, Dorcas St, South Melbourne Highlights: long rope bridge, wooden fort, in-ground trampoline, basketball, fenced Like its sister park St Kilda Adventure Playground, this place is the antithesis of all those perfectly pristine plastic-feeling playgrounds peppered across the suburbs. There s a definite junk yard feel and kids will get dirty exploring the nooks and crannies of this urban paradise for kids. A huge colourfully painted wooden fort is filled with lots of tunnels, secret doors, ladders, passageways, steps and a fireman s pole. Also long rope bridge, basketball court, lots of colourful structures to explore, big in-ground trampoline, table tennis, monkey bars, four-person seesaw, slides, bikes and Green Machines to ride, sandpit with mechanical digger and toys, and a building built from shipping containers with a rooftop picnic table overlooking the whole playground. It evens has chooks on site. Note: this won t suit parents who are riskaverse or don t want their kids getting dirty. Best suited to age Fully fenced but gate is open. Staffed. Fair bit of tree shade. Junk food is banned. Water taps on site. The playground runs programs for local disadvantaged children so may be closed at times, especially during school holidays. Open set times after school, weekends, and public and school holidays. Safest to phone on before visiting. Nearest street parking is $1.60 an hour. NORTH Golden Sun Moth Park, Grand Boulevard, Craigieburn Highlights: giant moth, long flying fox, high spinning birds nest swing, great spinning equipment including Supernova and rope cage Arguably Melbourne s most unusual and interesting playground, it is centred around a giant golden sun moth an endangered local species. The moths legs are

2 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE2 of 13 made from curved slides, staircases, and inclined poles with hoops for kids to climb up, and there s a huge tunnel slide out the end. The moth s belly is a giant net great for balancing and walking with a rope ladder leading up on top of the moth where there s a cubby in the moth s head. There s also a long flying fox with disc seat, high spinning birds nest swing, spinning rope cage, two huge rope climbing pyramids, four standard swings including baby swing, spinning cup with hand wheel, wobble board with hand hold, horizontal bars, and a spinning Supernova slanting ring for one or more kids to stand or sit on as it spins it s almost easier to list what this amazing playground does not have. There is also a separate play area, for kids under five, which has a wooden structure with two slides, wobbly bridge, monkey bars, musical clanging bars and ladder as well as a big spinning bowl, small spinning disc, cocoon to climb on, fourperson rocker, stepping stones and two springers. Another smaller wooden structure has awave slide, wobbly bridge, fireman s pole and ladders. Not much shade. Big shelter with several picnic tables and barbecues plus water tap and toilets on site. Basketball court nearby within park. Riverside Park, The Boulevard, Aberfeldie Highlights: wooden pirate ship, next to river, sand base A stunning wooden pirate ship called the Black Sapphire with tall masts and tattered sails on a sand base on the banks of the Maribyrnong River is the hero of this otherwise rundown playground. Littlies climb aboard via a wooden bridge, rope bridge or rope-pull climbing wall. Inside is the Captain s Quarters a cubby with table and a long bench seats. Lots of great touches include three bells to ring, four telescopes, a big wooden steering wheel, and a treasure map that leads the way to a treasure chest outside the ship. Also twin slides and a long tunnel underneath. Two other playgrounds along the riverbank include swings, slides, fixed-track flying fox, fireman s pole and monkey bars, but it was no surprise to see these empty and the pirate ship packed. The riverside location can be nerve-racking with toddlers. Quiet location. ST KILDA ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND St Kilda Adventure Playground, off Neptune St, St Kilda Highlights: long flying fox, treehouse, aeroplane, pirate ship, castle, in-ground trampoline, ball courts, fenced Playground doesn t do this urban wonderland justice. This place recreates the way kids were able to explore their local neighbourhoods unhindered in days gone by, with lots of climbing structures, cubbies, a treehouse with knotted rope to the ground, big aeroplane, pirate ship, and big wooden castle with lots of climbing walls and hidey holes. There is also a long flying fox, big hammock swing and big inground trampoline. Parents can enjoy free tea and coffee (although a donation is requested). Water taps and toilets are on site. Note: this won t suit parents who are risk-averse or don t want their kids getting dirty. Best suited to age Fully fenced but gate is open. Staffed. Lots of trees and shade. Shaded picnic table. The playground runs programs for local disadvantaged children so may be closed at times, especially during school holidays. Phone to check. No need to book except for groups. ROYAL PARK NATURE PLAY ALMA PARK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

3 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE3 of 13 SKINNERS ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

4 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE4 of 13 Barbecues and picnic tables nearby, including some under shelter. Bundoora Park Playspace, River Red Gum Avenue, Bundoora Highlights: wooden maze, hammock swing, fenced, adjoins cafe This lovely all-abilities playground has lots of low equipment for littlies scattered over a big securely fenced area with a toddler-proof gate, and adjoins a big cafe and Bundoora Park Farm (bundoorapark.com.au). Highlights include a hammock swing, wooden maze with tunnels and distorting mirrors, a huge horizontal rope climbing frame, and a wonderful rock-ringed sandpit with a mechanical digger. There s a good water play area with bridges and a water pump, but this may not always be operating, as was the case on our most recent visit on a 41C day. Also a water tank with a slide and ladder, spinning carousel, spiral slide, three spinners, seven swings, mound slides, lots of springers, giant bullants and a big red tractor with trailer. Several picnic tables under shelters. There s a pond on one side and a lake on the other outside the fence. Beautiful, tranquil bush setting far from traffic with lots of trees and birds chattering and part of a huge expanse of gently rolling parkland dotted with picturesque barbecue areas. Malahang Reserve, Oriel Rd, Heidelberg West Highlights: long flying foxes, next to basketball court, skate park and BMX track Settle in for a good half-day s entertainment for the whole family with a broad range of equipment suited to all ages across a huge area. Highlights include three long flying foxes (two with disc seat, one with full seat harness for littlies) and a towering twin-pyramid rope climbing frame. The bright and colourful main climbing structure is shaped like a paddle steamer and has a spiral slide, wave slide, tunnels, rope ladder, small rockclimbing wall, long ramp, steps, and lots of fun for littlies including two seats with rotating pedals and a steering wheel so they can drive the paddle steamer. Also several swings, two spinners, familysized seesaw and two spinning cups with hand wheels. Sheltered barbecues and picnic tables. Bigger kids will love the adjacent basketball court, skate park and BMX track. EAST Ruffey Lake Park Victoria St Adventure Playground, Victoria St, Doncaster Highlights: wooden adventure playground, long flying foxes, shade sails, giant slide This exceptionally good wooden adventure playground has the bonus of a stunning natural setting with lovely views across rolling parkland, lots of trees and birds, and little traffic noise. It s beautifully landscaped and maintained, and a wonderful venue for family or group gatherings. The playground is spread over several levels and includes a big tower with spiral staircase, giant metal straight slide, long spiral slide, long tunnel slide, two long fire man s poles, chain ladder wall, rope-pull and chain-pull climbing walls, tunnel, spiral ladder, musical bridge, ramps, steps, musical instrument, cubbies and shopfront. There s also a huge sandpit with sand-play tables, seven swings including a spinning tyre swing, two long flying foxes (one disc seat, one full seat with harness for littlies), fixed-track flying fox, monkey bars, and a fantastic molecule-shaped rockclimbing structure. Much of the playground is under shade. Best for age 3-4 upwards. Lots of picnic tables under shelters and several barbecues. Montrose Community Playground, Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Montrose

5 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE5 of 13 BUNDOORA PARK PLAYSPACE Highlights: wooden adventure playground, spinning rope pyramid, birds nest swings, close to chocolate cafe, next to oval What a find! While Montrose families flock to their beloved community playground, this is a kids wonderland worth driving across several suburbs to visit. It s a huge, sprawling, ramped wooden adventure playground with lots of unusual features. Highlights include a spinning rope pyramid, nine swings including two birds nest-style swings, a big spinning disc for several kids to sit or stand on, several wobble boards, spinning twin swing set, and a cubbyhouse township. There s a huge rope pyramid in the centre of the playground with a birds nest-style lookout near the top where kids love to hang out. The huge main wooden structure and a smaller one next to it include lots of ramps, monkey bars, slides, various ladders, fireman s poles, rope bridge, wobbly bridges, tunnel, climbing mats, and a big double-sided climbing wall rock-climb up one side then clamber down the rope net on the other. There s another structure made of twisted climbing sheets. Also fixedtrack flying fox. While many fort-style adventure playgrounds are nerve-racking for toddlers because of poor visibility, this one allows you to see right through the playground. Beautiful location among the trees looking up to Mt Dandenong, but little shade for the playground. Barbecues and picnic tables with shade. A chocolate shop and cafe is almost next door. Markham Reserve, Victory Boulevard, Ashburton Highlights: fenced, birds nest swing, skate/bike park, basketball This huge playground is by far the best in the area for toddlers and preschoolers, with families flocking from afar. It s fully fenced with toddler-proof gates, though unfortunately the gate was in need of repair on our most recent visit and needed to be closed by hand. Highlights include a birds nest swing, big sandpit with mechanical digger, and separate skate/bike park for beginners and basketball area within the playground s boundaries. CONTINUED NEXT PAGE A water tank with a slide and ladder, spinning carousel, spiral slide, three spinners, seven swings, mound slides, lots of springers, giant bullants and a big red tractor with trailer

6 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE6 of 13 MALAHANG RESERVE RIVERSIDE PARK

7 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE7 of 13 GOLDEN SUN MOTH PARK

8 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE8 of 13 T O 25 PPLAYGROUNDS SALTWATER COAST CROCODILE PARK Saltwater Coast Crocodile Park, Saltwater Promenade, Point Cook Highlights: water play, wading pool, opposite cafe Splish, splash! A sensational water play area including a long, winding stream emanating from a big crocodile s jaws is the highlight of this brand new playground. Unfortunately the crocodile water play has been switched off until mid-february while excess sand is cleared out of the big croc s mouth. Kids can get soaked in a small wading pool, make their way along the stream on stepping stones and run through water jets at the end. There s also a big wooden adventure playground including a rope bridge, rope ladder, bouncy mat, musical ropes and a bell to ring. Also a great sandpit, smaller climbing structure for littlies, two long slides, two birds nest swings and seesaw. Lovely undulating site next to lakes with waterbirds and boardwalks. Lots of lush picnic-perfect grass patches in the playground, and barbecues and picnic tables under shelter. Across the road from Coast Cafe. The downside is a lack of shade. Nearest toilets across a walking bridge.

9 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE9 of 13 MONTROSE COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND WOMBAT BEND PLAYSPACE BAYSWATER PARK FROM PREVIOUS PAGE A huge rope climbing frame adjoining the main structure will challenge older kids. There s also a fixed-track flying fox, spinning cup with hand wheel, family-sized seesaw, monkey bars, swings, springer seesaw, four-person springer, suspended stepping stone walkway, forest of tree trunks to meander through, and a small climbing mound with rock-climbing holds or rope holds to reach the top, then two small wave slides to whiz down. Small basketball practice area. Picnic tables under shelter and barbecues. Next to vast open parkland and set on a quiet side street. Hays Paddock, Longstaff St, Kew East Highlights: fenced, all abilities, great sandpit, shade sails, spinning Supernova, next to ovals This popular playground has it all: it s fully fenced with toddler-proof gates, mostly covered by huge butterflyshaped shade sails and packed with great equipment. It was specifically designed as an all-abilities playground where children with disabilities and those without can play together. Includes two big ramped wooden structures with four slides, various ladders, steps and musical instruments. Also two hammock swings, spinner, hopscotch, familysized seesaw, three springers, big shaded sandpit with two mechanical scoops, bouncy rope climbing frame, five swings including one with harness and handles, and a spinning Supernova a slanting ring for one or more kids to stand or sit on as it spins. Best suited to younger kids. Pretty park with lots of trees and birdlife, though constant traffic noise from nearby Eastern Freeway. Next to wetlands. Shaded picnic tables. Barbecues just outside playground. Small basketball practice area nearby. Wombat Bend Playspace, Duncan St, Templestowe Lower Highlights: fenced, water and sand play, well shaded, long flying foxes, wooden maze, bat wing carousel, bushland setting, next to Yarra River A visit to Wombat Bend Playspace is like taking a winding stroll through native bushland and stumbling upon another play surprise at every turn. Much more playspace than playground, Wombat Bend s highlights include a whimsical wooden maze with mirrors and buttons to press that set off funny noises or children s voices or laughter, and two long flying foxes (one with disc seat, one with harness seat for littlies). There s also a button-operated water source filling a miniature creek that kids can splash in, a big sandpit ringed by big rocks and raised sandplay area, family-sized seesaw, bat-wing carousel with hanging seats that parents push around, musical bridge, cube rope-climbing frame with rock-climbing wall and horizontal bars, swings, three spinners, two twin embankment wave slides and community art. The faint traffic hum in the distance is almost drowned out by the relaxing sound of birds in the trees and the Yarra River rushing past. Next to a riverside bike path, but no bikes allowed in playground. Lots of shade, grassy picnic spots, picnic tables under shelter and barbecues. Fully fenced with toddler-proof gates. Plenty of open space and more picnic sites outside fenced area. In a word: stunning. Valley Reserve Play Space, Waimarie Drive, Mt Waverley Highlights: high ropes course, long flying foxes, long spinning birds nest swing, nature play Nature play and adventure blend seamlessly at this recently opened hidden gem deep in a sublime 15ha pocket of bush. A high ropes course with elements that will challenge even teens is the centrepiece, featuring rope nets, rope and log bridges, and tree houses. Other highlights

10 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE10 of 13 MARKHAM RESERVE RUFFEY LAKE PARK BICENTENNIAL PARK include two long flying foxes (one with disc seat and one with supported seat for littlies), a huge spinning birds nest swing, normal swings, a long fireman s pole, two wobble boards on springs, sandpits, sculptures of wildlife, and boulders, stumps and logs to play on. A great all-ages playground. The surrounding bushland has tracks for bushwalks, but watch out for snakes. The playground lacks shade, but there are shaded picnic tables and barbecues. Bayswater Park, King St, Bayswater Highlights: real steam engine, wooden adventure playground It s better known locally as Bayswater Train Park and there s no doubt the highlight is the genuine red steam engine that kids and parents can explore inside. The engine is next to an old-fashioned train platform with seats and a child-height ticket window with a speak-and-listen system, and a wooden play train with carriages, gears to change and steering wheels. But the playground is much more than the engine: there s a big, high, wooden fort with a scary chain bridge, high fireman s pole, wave slide, twin metal straight slides, two rockclimbing walls, chain-pull climbing wall, musical bridge, winding ramps, tunnel, balance beam, ladders, cubbies, shopfronts and musical instruments. There are also monkey bars, two fixed-track flying foxes, spinning twin swing set, wallowing hippos to climb on, diamond-shaped rope climbing frame with a long curved metal slide from the top, and a metal elephantshaped climbing structure with a long metal slide for a trunk. Also big sandpit and standard swings. Best for age 3-4 upwards. Not much shade, but there s a good shaded picnic and barbecue area across carpark. SOUTH Bicentennial Park, Scotch Parade, Chelsea Highlights: fenced, giant slides, spinning Supernova, spinning birds nest swing, Liberty Swing, close to skate park What a doozy! Two giant slides down a hillside are just the beginning in this huge fenced playground with toddler-proof gates and a wide variety of equipment for kids of all ages. There s a huge spinning birds nest swing, hammock swing, spinning cup, rocking boat, big play train, a village with a music hut, play hut and story hut, musical instruments including tyres that littlies jump on to play music, two springers, two spinners, spiral slide, standard swings, Liberty Swing, and a spinning Supernova a slanting ring for one or more kids to stand or sit on as it spins. There are two sandpits including a big shaded one with a mechanical digger, pouring jugs and sand tables. A big climbing structure includes three sets of monkey bars, two fixed-track flying foxes, rope ladder wall, twin wave slides from a high tower and a suspended stepping stone walkway. Lots of barbecues and three shelters with picnic tables. This is likely to be the best day s fun you ve had in ages and won t cost a cent. Casey Fields, Casey Fields Boulevard, Cranbourne East Highlights: giant slide, great sand play, spinning birds nest swing, next to ovals and lake This wonderful, wellmaintained playground has a huge variety of interesting equipment spread over a vast area with lots of grassy sections close to a fenced lake with waterbirds. Highlights include a long spinning birds nest swing atop a hill, a long curvy slide down a hill, and a series of small man-made hills with footholds for climbing and rope nets joining the hilltops. There s also a big rope climbing pyramid linked to a rope bridge and an unusual climbing frame made from long, twisting metal rods. Also three climbing structures for littlies set on

11 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE11 of 13 sand bases. One is a big boat with a deck, steering wheel, binoculars, rope ladders, unusual swing and a cubby with seats underneath. The other two multi-level structures have fun sand-play equipment including scoops on pulleys, chutes and a pipe, as well as a small slide, climbing walls including a rock-climbing wall, cubby with stove, chain bridge, tunnel and shopfronts. Also four standard swings, Liberty Swing and springer. Playground partially under shade sails. Part of a huge expanse of sports fields. Lovely quiet spot far from traffic noise. Barbecues and picnic tables under shade. Sorrento Historic Park, St Aubins Way, Sorrento Highlights: wooden adventure playground, mostly fenced, overlooking Port Phillip Bay You d be hard pressed to find a playground with a more impressive view. From the playground area high on a hill, soak up amazing views of luxury boats bobbing on the waters of Port Phillip. This is a huge traditional wooden adventure playground, with lots of towers, bridges, slides, ramps, steps, monkey bars, climbing walls, ladders, fixedtrack flying fox, tunnels, fireman s pole, musical instruments, huge sandpit and five swings. Mostly fenced. Best suited to age 3-4 upwards. The playground is part of a big lush reserve with rolling parkland and lots of trees. You ll have no trouble finding a shady picnic spot with gorgeous views. The Grange Reserve, Osborne Avenue, Clayton South Highlights: giant UFO, birds nest swing This impressive playground is at the site of a UFO sighting on April 6, 1966, that continues to mystify to this day. While the kids are happily playing aboard the huge replica elevated UFO, amuse yourself with the chilling newspaper reports and eyewitness accounts on display of students and a teacher who rushed towards the site when they saw a mysterious round silvery flying saucer ascending and descending rapidly and then being chased off by light aircraft, before what appeared to be military personnel arrived and began sweeping the area. Kids climb into the UFO up an inclined rope net or hooped ladder. Inside are two steering wheels with a control panel. Exit via a long spiral tunnel slide, fireman s pole or short tunnel slide. There is also a birds nest swing, spinning cup with hand wheel, long fixed-track flying fox, two alien wobble boards to balance on, huge ropeclimbing frame, wooden platforms connected by rope bridges and nets with a small rock-climbing wall and wave slide, standard swings, painted wooden carvings of Australian animals, big sandpit with mechanical digger and more. Lovely natural bush setting. Barbecues and picnic tables under two shelters. Best for age 3-4 upwards. Roy Dore Reserve, Dyson Rd, Carrum Highlights: wooden pirate ship, spinning Supernova, shade sails, next to tennis wall and oval All aboard the pirate ship. This huge wooden pirate ship fronted by a colourfully painted mermaid is the highlight of a huge playground with varied equipment for all ages. The pirate ship is under shade sails and has a very long and scary rope net bridge across the top over a high drop, a very high ladder up a chute, two long wave slides, big rock-climbing wall, big inclined rope net wall, inclined balance beam, wavy bridge and big wooden steering wheel. But the playground is far more than the ship there is a birds nest swing, standard swings, surfboard balance board, boat-shaped springer, spinner, colourfully painted wooden sculptures including toadstools, giant purple octopus and a friendly troll by a bridge, and a spinning Supernova a slanting ring for one or more kids to stand or sit on as it spins. Jutting out through holes in the pirate ship are three black painted wooden cannons and in the huge sandpit nearby are three movable big cannon balls and a mechanical digger. Under the pirate ship at ground level are toddler activities including spinning cylinders and a distorting mirror. Also a smaller wooden boat structure with wave slide, steps and steering wheel. Mostly fenced. Lovely quiet spot with lots of tree shade on the grass for picnics. Barbecues and picnic tables including some under shelter. Also seven pieces of adult exercise equipment at one end of the playground. Murrumbeena Playspace, Kangaroo Rd, Murrumbeena Highlights: long flying fox, birds nest swing, rockclimbing wall, next to ovals Rebuilt in 2013 and retaining its just-opened feel, this huge playground will appeal to all ages with a wide variety of equipment and lovely natural feel thanks to mostly wooden structures, adorable wooden sculpted animals, lots of boulders and a log pathway to jump across. Highlights include a long flying fox with disc seat, spinning pear swing, big mound slide, birds nest swing, rock-climbing wall set in hillside and spherical rope climbing frame. There are also climbing structures with several slides include a spiral slide, rope-pull climbing wall, rock-climbing wall, monkey bars, two rope bridges, suspended stepping stone walkway, curved ladder, clanging musical instrument, shopfront, telescope, steering wheel, tic tac toe and steps. Includes separate area for toddlers. Also wooden cubby, wooden cubbies, bridge, small carousel, several swings, fourperson seesaw, springers including a four-person springer, and a winding path with decorative poles leading to a giant snail and musical clanging instrument. Not much shade. A fence protects the playground from the nearby road. Barbecues and two shelters with picnic tables. WEST Buckingham Reserve, Buckingham Crescent, Sunshine West

12 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE12 of 13 Highlights: giant spiral tunnel slide, long flying foxes, birds nest swing, water play area What an amazing playground particularly for the west, which lacks the abundance of top-notch playgrounds dotted throughout Melbourne s leafy east and southeast. The centrepiece is a huge tower with a giant spiral tunnel slide, a long rope bridge and small straight slide. There are also two long flying foxes, birds nest swing, big horizontal rope climbing frame, carousel, twin mound slides, three spinners, two springers, standard swings, big sandpit and a multi-level water play area with water gates kids can open and close and a twisting auger as well as channels and reservoirs. Shade sails over sandpit and water play area only. Located down a quiet side street with no traffic noise. Barbecues and picnic tables under big shelter. Ideal for bikes and scooters. Can get crowded. Navan Park, Centenary Avenue, Melton Highlights: giant spiral tunnel slide, teenage-specific equipment, great sand play, close to lake This is the ultimate all-ages and all-abilities playground. It s highly unusual in that it specifically includes a Teenrager section with two Trick Skate skateboard-style wobble boards, a Tornado spinner to hang off, a spinner, and the Mountain Trek a surprisingly tricky and wobbly hanging disc walkway. The highlight for other kids is a huge tower with two tunnel slides including a really long spiral one and a long fireman s pole. Other climbing structures offer slides, ramps, bridges, monkey bars, climbing walls including a rockclimbing wall, ladders, balance beam, tunnel, fireman s poles, monkey bars and more. Also a big hammock swing, standard swings, Liberty Swing, fourperson bouncer, toddler area with play huts, two springers, and a big sandpit with a castle and sand-play equipment including conveyor belts and jugs. Barbecues and shelters with picnic tables. Pretty and quiet location. Close to lake with waterbirds. Lots of open parkland. Mandrel Drive Playground, Mandrel Drive, Williams Landing Highlights: aircraft control tower, giant tunnel slide, great sand play area, basketball court Tucked away in an unassuming suburban precinct and overlooked by houses, Mandrel Drive Playground is far from your typical local playground. The centrepiece of this aviation-themed playground, which is near a RAAF base, is a huge aircraft control tower from which kids shoot down a high curved tunnel slide. The tower also has twin wave slides, a rope ladder and inclined rockclimbing wall. A huge sandplay area for toddlers includes a climbing structure, slide, pourer, pipes, two mechanical diggers, balance beams and two springers. There s also a big rope pyramid climbing frame, two spinners, a balance course, a chain bridge, swings, a full, well-maintained basketball court and plenty of grassy parkland for ball sports. Quiet spot with a few trees and some shade. Main structure mostly undercover. Barbecues and huge shelter with picnic tables. But no toilets. REVIEWS: JEN KELLY, BRIDGET DAVIES, JOE YOUNG

13 ID BRIEF CEDARWOODS INDEX 1 PAGE13 of 13 SORRENTO HISTORIC PARK HAYS PADDOCK BUCKINGHAM RESERVE MANDREL DRIVE THE GRANGE RESERVE NAVAN PARK ROY DORE RESERVEERVE CASEY FIELDS MURRUMBEENA PLAYSPACE VALLEY RESERVE WOMBAT BEND BICENTENNIAL PARK Plenty of open space and more picnic sites outside fenced area. In a word: stunning.