galbally reserve, hughesdale
We present to you - the rainbow playground! You really can’t go past a playspace that has pretty much EVERYTHING.
We present to you - the rainbow playground! You really can’t go past a playspace that has pretty much EVERYTHING. From the huge twin climbing and slide structure, to the expression swing (you know the ones … where you and your toddler can share the swing). Add to this an insect hotel space with beautiful flowers and nature play, a half court basketball court PLUS a ninja play course complete with bars to swing and balance on.
Oh there is ALSO a spinning pyramid structure that the kids thought it was hilarious to throw their hats off in mid flight. Then there is the trail near by, complete with traffic signs to remind the kids to slow down on their bikes.
Oh, almost forgot - there is a rocking train in the middle of the park which is perfect for spotting the REAL things whizz past on the train line next door. All of these factors help make this playground one of Mamma’s new favourites. There is a great amount of shade, plenty of grass to set up base and a BBQ shelter too.
Mamma’s special mention: Need something sweet? Head down the road to the delicious Oakleigh Doughnut Company.
the nitty gritty
picnic tables - shade - limited parking (but not impossible - walking/bike trails nearby - bbqs - no toilets, but some public ones nearby (550m walk back to Hughesdale Train Station) - expression swing - drink tap
valley reserve, mount waverley
This is one for the adventurous kind! Welcome to Valley Reserve - winner of the 2016 best new major playspace in Victoria in the Parks and Leisure Australia awards. A quiet and *almost* hidden treasure in Mount Waverley.
This is one for the adventurous kind! Welcome to Valley Reserve - winner of the 2016 best new major playspace in Victoria in the Parks and Leisure Australia awards. A quiet and *almost* hidden treasure in Mount Waverley. This AMAZING space is huge and has a little bit of everything, although best suited for older kids. At 18 months it was too much, but now at nearly 4 years, Bubs is getting more and more from this playground. The timber poles dominate the main space (the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo zone for those playing along at home) and each crows nest type structure is linked by ropes - basically like the ropes course from your grade 5 camp memories. Up the top, the big kids will zoom along the flying foxes and back near the carpark, the little ones will love exploring and climbing all over the King Parrot.
Mamma's favourites have to be the two sandpit and nature play zones which is great for the toddlers. The sandpits feature massive quartz blocks with crevasses to collect the water and a noughts and crosses board! PERFECT for sand play! The nature zone to the left is difficult to see but don't miss it. The Eastern Long-necked Turtle sits here and is designed to be a quiet refuge separate from the main play space. No wonder Mamma almost walked past.
Mamma's special mention: If you need a coffee before or after your playdate with the birds, Mamma can't go past South Society along Blackburn Road.
the nitty gritty
public toilets - bbqs - shelters - shaded - walking tracks - nature reserve - carpark - nature play - sand - water play has been shut off
napier park, glen waverley
Go visit the giant gecko at Napier Park with your little ones today!
It is so refreshing when a playground gets an upgrade and Napier Park has certainly got a great one! This is a perfect mix for the little ones with the additional inclusion of fitness equipment for the bigger ones. The castle structure is an easy to climb, there is plenty of equipment explore as well as a brilliant mix of natural elements. Mamma spots long logs to balance along, a dry river bed, stepping tree stumps and even a set of table and chairs, perfect for a tea party. The park is home to a giant gecko and he will carefully watch over the kiddos as they jump from element to element. You can pack the bikes too with trails nearby and some nicely paved tracks around the playground itself. In the wetter months the spinning sea-saw can get a little boggy but you must give it a go. Lots of fun!
Mamma's special mention: The park is part of the baseball complex off High Street Road, but the park is more accessible from Torwood Avenue.
the nitty gritty
bench seating - fitness equipment - birds nest swing - walking trails nearby - baseball fields next door - drinking fountian - limited shade - no public toilets
samada street reserve, notting hill
It is almost like Mamma is starting to sniff out all of these brilliant little and HIDDEN playspaces, packed with such great goodies. Samada Street Reserve in Notting Hill has a fantastic little playground with ALL of Mamma's favourites.
It is almost like Mamma is starting to sniff out all of these brilliant little and HIDDEN playspaces, packed with such great goodies. Samada Street Reserve in Notting Hill has a fantastic little playground with ALL of Mamma's favourites.
The main structure is a solid wooden fort, with plenty of options for climbing, sliding and traversing around and complete with its own cafe. There is soft-spongy-slash-mesh flooring, making it great for crawlers and less tanbark to consume. The spinning sea-saw rocker is a hit and a bit of a surprise the first time you give it a go. There's the birds nest swing and a stack of fitness equipment making the space great for the entire family.
But at the end of the day, Mamma's favourite feature - undeniably too - is the expression swing. When you have little ones under the age of one, who are not moving a whole heap or teetering around on their toes just yet, getting them up into a swing is the BEST, especially when you can join in too. Their faces are irresistible and the joy is infectious. Plus it stops them eating tan bark for at least 5 minutes!
Mamma’s special mentions: Mamma's go-to cafe and gift shop combo when in Notting Hill is Inchmeal Cafe. Another hidden treasure in the neighbourhood is just at the end of the road!
the nitty gritty
expression swing - drink fountain - picnic benches - some shade - street parking - fitness equipment - grass nearby - no toilets
central reserve playground, glen waverley
Watch out for the lions - they’ll get cha! Well, if you use them as a tunnel that is. Welcome to Central Reserve Playground
Watch out for the lions - they’ll get cha! Well, if you use them as a tunnel that is. Welcome to Central Reserve Playground. This is your classic part wooden, part plastic, part ropes and part platform playground that has seen a lot of love over its years. It is a great one for crawlers with plenty of ramps to navigate plus lots of interesting things like the brilliant music feature. This one even comes with music.
The playground is part of a larger recreational reserve with ovals, bowls clubs, aths track and skatepark near by. You will see many locals running and walking laps in the green spaces near by. There is a decent fence blocking the access to Springvale Road, although it isn’t a fully enclosed playspace. Mamma couldn’t spot the public toilets nearby (although the National Public Toilet Map tells me they are here) but it is a great solid playground for fun.
Mamma’s special mentions: Time for a dip? The Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre is just around the corner. This is a great option for extra physical activity and be sure to give the wave pool a whirl!
the nitty gritty
public toilets - picnic grounds - bbqs - football grounds - skate park - mostly fenced - shade over the climbing ropes -
wellesley road reserve, glen waverley
This might just be Mamma’s favourite style of playground. A SENSORY playground. This renewed playspace has been beautifully designed to engage all sorts of play, via the senses.
This might just be Mamma’s favourite style of playground. A SENSORY playground. This renewed playspace has been beautifully designed to engage all sorts of play, via sound, sight, touch and smell (once the plats grow a little more!).
To begin with, it is visually beautiful. There are all sorts of textures and pathways that help guide the play and plenty of ‘treasure’ built into the paths. We love the tea party table (complete with checker board), the spinning wheel at the end of the rainbow, the shiny bluebird and the carnival mirrors. But the real hit are the tyre bouncers. Theses noisey thingos are super fun. We can hear a rubber ducky, an accordion and a train!
There is heaps to love about this playzone, especially when the previous playground elements have also been kept. The simple play structure with a slide, fireman’s pole, monkey bars, swings and rockers, is the perfect active compliment to this space. Oh AND the playground is fenced! It’s a winner all round!
Mamma's special mention: Many playgrounds have some sensory elements but for another dedicated sensory playground, head to Box Hill South to Victoria Rose Playground.
the nitty gritty
water fountain - no toilets - fully fenced and gated - good shade - picnic table and benches
ellis park, mulgrave
Located within the Waverley Park estate, you will be feeling all nostalgic if you used to watch the football here, back in the day. There are plenty of nods to the past with the social club bench, signs for the gates and a reasonably priced parking fee etched into the playground design.
Footy fans - here is a playground for you. Located within the Waverley Park estate, you will be feeling all nostalgic if you used to watch the football here, back in the day. There are plenty of nods to the past with the social club bench, signs for the gates and a reasonably priced parking fee etched into the playground design. Although the colours don’t match any club in particular, Mamma enjoys the walk down memory lane after spending an entire childhood on the wooden benches at Waverley. The kids love everything about this well designed playzone too. There are things to slide, climb, swing and balance on, plus a noisy bridge to stomp over. This is a neighbourhood playground, so you wont find any toilets and parking is limited, but you will have a hard time tearing the little tikes away.
Mamma's special mention: The Hawks might not play their home games at Waverley anymore, but they do (normally - in pre covid times) train here and there is a cafe here too!
the nitty gritty
walking trails nearby - no toilets - limited shade - picnic table - some street parking
brickmakers park, oakleigh
Be prepared to spend a while here, folks! This great park is huge and has loads of different areas to explore.
Be prepared to spend a while here, folks! This great park is huge and has loads of different areas to explore.
In one corner you have the playground, that also has a sheltered area with two picnic tables and a BBQ. The playground has lots of cool equipment like wooden stepping stones of assorted sizes, swings, slides, sea-saw, climbing structures, speak and listen system, net climbing wall and more!
In another corner there is a bird-filled little pond, bridge, a garden of assorted plants and a little hill that is just perfect for rolling down.
On the far corner are large open fields with a basketball court.
With free parking and a public toilet, it’s the perfect place to play the day away!
Mamma's special mention:
Grab some DELICIOUS donuts from the delectable The Oakleigh Doughnut Co down the road.
the nitty gritty
BBQ - picnic areas - undercover shelters - large grassy areas - basketball ring -public toilets - free parking
where?