Playgrounds Melbourne: Mornington Peninsula top ten places to play
After being roped off for weeks due to coronavirus restrictions playgrounds across the Mornington Peninsula region are open again. Here’s our list of the best.
South East
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Children across the Mornington Peninsula were let loose on playgrounds on Monday.
The spaces were reopened under the first stage of easing restrictions and families flocked to nearby parks and reserves to make the most of the Spring sunshine.
Popular Mornington “Pirate Park” playground was buzzing with happy children including Pauline Poulter and granddaughter Jamie, 3.
“It’s been really tough on the little ones,” Ms Poulter said.
“Jamie was so excited to be able to come back to the park.”
“I love swings,” Jamie said.
“Nanna can push me.”
Emily Drake said her children Flynn, 4 and Lily 2 could not get to the slippery dip fast enough on Monday.
“It’s getting a real work out,” she said.
Flynn was also pleased to catch up with his best friend Natalija, 4.
“We’re happy,” he said.
“The parks got shut because the world got sick,” Natalija said.
“But it’s getting better now.”
Her Mum Suzie Cota said being able to take Natalija and younger sister Elyssa, 2, to the playground was a relief.
“They just need to burn off energy,” Ms Cota said.
Nanny Merel Kok, 18 said keeping her two young charges entertained during the past three months had been a challenge.
The teen arrived in Australian from the Netherlands in February expecting to spend a year working and seeing the sights.
“I was not executing this. But I am lucky to be working in Mornington. It is beautiful here,” she said.
“Hopefully I will be able to see more of the country soon.”
Check out our list of the best places to play on the Mornington Peninsula.
Mornington Park
Schnapper Point Drive
There are bay views, lots of open space and a path perfect for bike riding, but the main attraction is the pirate ship. The two-storey, wooden structure overlooks a slide, rope climb, flying fox, monkey bars and a web swing.
HOT: There is a large Moreton Bay fig tree just begging to be climbed and regular visits from an ice-cream van.
NOT: The public toilets are a long walk from the main play space.
Eco Park
Glenisla Drive, Mt Martha
When South East Water land opposite Mount Martha Primary School was flagged for residential development community groups stepped in and worked with the company to create a playground. The main wooden structure is a maze of walkways, steps, tunnels and slides. There are also monkey bars, stepping mushrooms and swings. The mural at the front of the park was designed and painted with the help of the schoolchildren.
HOT: The park is made from recycled materials and there is a focus on native plants.
NOT: There’s no shelter and intense use has left the site in need of a little love. (There is a plan in place to revamp the space.)
Red Hill Recreation Reserve
corner Arthurs Seat Rd and Arkwells Lane, Red Hill
This wooden adventure playground offers plenty of fun challenges including a wave slide, ladders, walkways, balance beams, flying fox, monkey bars and chain ladder.
HOT: Great range of equipment and close to the oval for extra space to run around
NOT: No swings (at least you won’t have to push)
Rosebud Foreshore Playground
cnr Point Nepean and Jetty roads
One of the newer play spaces on the peninsula this adventure park is designed around a rocky mountain with a range of challenging routes to the top including a rope net and rock climb. At the summit is the start of a long, winding slide. There’s also a flying fox, spinning disc and birds nest swing, plus a barbecue, tables and chairs.
HOT: The nearby Bay Trail is a great, safe place for a bike ride.
NOT: The slides are metal, making them unusable on a warm day.
Balnarring Village Reserve
3035 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Balnarring
If slides are your jam this is the park to visit. There are two wave slides, a curved slide and a tunnel slide in the main structure. Monkey bars, flying fox, scrambling wall and horizontal climber offer a challenge for more adventurous kids.
HOT: This space is fully fenced so playtime is more relaxing for parents.
NOT: Again, a lack of shade is an issue on warmer days.
Ryes Up Community Playground
2387A Point Nepean Rd, Rye
This playground has a nautical theme including a large, wooden ship. There are portholes to play mermaids and pirates and plenty of old-school favourites, such as monkey bars and bucket swings.
HOT: The playground is fully fenced, allowing parents to relax.
NOT: There’s no shade, other than what is provided by the equipment.
Mt Eliza Lake Playground
Cnr Two Bays Road and Moorooduc Hwy, Mount Eliza
Toot toot! The train and carriage joined by a balance beam is the best part about this park.
There is also a wooden structure with small slide, tic-tac- toe, abacus, train panels, multiple levels, walkway, tunnel, chain bridge, shop front and fireman’s pole.
HOT: Four swings makes sharing easy and the nearby barbecues, water tap and shelter are perfect for picnics.
NOT: The nearby lake could be a hazard for little ones.
Fred Smith Reserve
Marine Pde, Hastings
Plenty of options here including a giant outdoor chess board and table tennis near Pelican Park Recreation Centre. The playground itself has a nautical theme and includes large wooden boats. There are also enclosed sandpits, family size seesaw and liberty swing.
HOT: An outdoor gym featuring six fitness stations has been set up along the nearby walking and cycling track.
NOT: The off-leash dog area can make families with small children anxious.
Flinders Township Reserve
Cnr Cook St and Norman St, Flinders
This park’s substantial activity structure has two slides, hanging and spiral ladders, horizontal bar, tunnel, monkey bars, balance beam with obstacles and a flying fox. There’s also a shop front for creative play.
HOT: The basketball court appeals to older kids and adults wanting a work out their offspring.
NOT: Most of the play equipment is low, limiting its use by middle years children.
Sorrento Park
Point Nepean Rd, Sorrento
Perched on top of a hill, the large, wooden castle is filled with passages and bridges to explore. There is plenty of grassy space to picnic or kick a footy, and a rotunda.
HOT: The sweeping bay views.
NOT: There are so many nooks and crannies that it’s easy to lose sight of younger children.
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