Playgrounds - SA West
Adelaide Airport.
Adelaide Airport, SA
Adelaide airport recently rebuilt the kids play area on the first floor from a closed room next to the toilets into a great open space! Situated next door to Hudsons coffee its a welcome break for parents who have dragged kids, toys and bags through check in queus and security check points and can finally arm themselves with a fresh coffee and relax at a table, couch or the breakfast bar overlooking the little ones as they explore the fully fenced, padded and netted play area. Toilets and change facilities are a short stroll across the terminal and the airport offers all the usual things you would expect a short stroll away. Nicely situated in the center of the terminal, gates to all carriers are an equal distance and though the kids will most likely spot it as soon as you get through security its a great place to spend some time and burn of some energy before a long flight
Adelaide Airport Terminal brochure available here; http://www.adelaideairport.com.au/assets/pdfs/Retail/RetailBrochure.pdf
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Apex Park Playground.
Apex park is an unassuming but expansive space situated on Burbridge Road (continuation of Sir Donald Bradman drive), just west of Tapleys Hill Road. It boasts a huge range of recreation options to explore including lake/creek with resident ducks, grassed area, junior playground, walking trails and wetland. On the list of amenities are free parking, picnic tables, BBQs, seating, tennis courts and toilets. While it is situated very close to the road, the playground is fully fenced and this location also makes it wheelchair accessible and easy via public transport and does have a pedestrian crossing just metres away. In October 2012 a sign has been installed adjacent the playgound area announcing that a new playground will soon be installed so watch this space. The sign did welcome suggestions so get your thoughts down and email submissions to csu@wtcc.sa.gov.au
More details available on the City of West Torrens Council website: http://www.wtcc.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=9313
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Collins Reserve - Fulham Gardens Reserve.
Collins reserve (AKA Fulham Gardens Reserve depending on your GPS) is a huge space which truly has something for everyone! It comprises of 2 playgrounds, skate bowls, tennis courts, pond/fountain, basketball ring and sits adjacent to the Fulham Gardens Soccer Club house and playing fields. The toddler 'zone' seems to be geared more to the eastern side of the reserve with the 'fortress' style playground (adjacent tennis courts) which has good access, sides and slides. Just across from this playground is the pond, complete with fountain and ducks -great for little ones to look at but unfortunately netiher the playground, nor pond are fenced. The expansive playground across the other side of the pond and skate park are geared towards older kids (all ladders and climbing gear - no steps) but will make the adults want to get in and have a go to. Amenities are good with toilets and BBQs though not a lot of seating available (bring a picnic rug).
Complete details at: http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=24&c=186
Devonshire Reserve Playground.
Devonshire Reserve appears primarily to be an open space / oval for sports and recration activies but has a good sized playground at the Coutnry street end. Unfortunately not fenced and with the playground situated quite close the road there is only a bark chipped garden separating the two. The playgroud itself has the usual offerings of swings, slide, flying fox and monkey bars geared towards slightly older children.
Official Council Page: http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=24&c=613
Glenwood Reserve Playground.
Glenwood Reserve is a small residential space with a playground and swings. No fence or amenties and mostly high equipment indicate this one is better for older kids on the way home from school rather than a dedicated destination for a day trip with toddlers. Official details here: http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=24&c=645
Kirkcaldy Reserve Playground.
Just off Grange road, Kirkcaldy reserve meanders along the creek through to Beach road offering 2 playground spaces and some very friendly local ducks. The main playground has parking alongside and is fenced between the playground and the road but not all around. Equipment here is good and has a few options for little ones to explore but the more toddler focused playground is 100m walk down the path to the other end of the reserve. At this end is a small play area with swings and slide but importantly this is where the toilets are! Inconspicuously tucked away in the corner they would be a long walk for anyone who's busting from the big playground but very welcome nonetheless.
Council website details here: http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=24&c=609.
Mayfair Park Playground.
Mayfair park is a small playground opposite West Beach Primary School playing fields. No fence or amenities and best suited to primary school age kids.
Mellor Park Playground - Lockleys.
A great space for a stop on the way to the airport or enough to keep the kids amused all day; Mellor park provides a space with a good sized, fenced playgound, public toilets, grassed area, BBQ, tennis courts, basketball court and even a tap and bowl for the dog!
The playground has equipment for a range of ages and a few different aparatus to keep the little ones amused. Only one BBQ and unfortunately close to such a busy motor way in Henley Beach Road but space to spread out on the quiet side of the park.
Official details here: http://www.wtcc.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1336&c=9345.
Murphy Reserve Playground.
Murphy reserve is a good sized grassed area with playground. The playground appears to be designed for older children but is tucked away in a quiet street and has a banked grass hill between the playgound and road to slow them down but unfortunately no fence.
council park details: http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=24&c=615
Poplar Playground.
This little hidden gem is tucked back from the street on Poplar street and backs onto West Beach Primary School. It doesn't show up in Google maps so you'll have to trust our advice to get there by just heading half way up Poplar street, West Beach and keeping an eye on the northern side of the road about half way up! The park is bounded by fences on all sides (being the back of the school and houses either side) but strangely enough no fence to the road. Nonetheless, the playgound has plenty of good equipment for junior primary age but enough to keep a toddler trying too.
Siesta Avenue Reserve Playground.
Not much to mention for Siesta Avenue Reserve. It has swings, a climbing web and a spring ride on pelican. Fortunately the play equipment is set at the back of the block but if you're here and looking for more to explore, walk a couple of blocks toward the beack and check out Toledo Avenue playground!
http://www.wtcc.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1336&c=9364
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Tedder Reserve Playground.
Tedder reserve is a great play space on linear park, best accessible from Belgrave Avenue. There is plenty of space around though mind the hill down to the meandering creek - it is some distance away but no fences and all downhil... The playground itself is not your standard and has some interesting equipment to explore. All ages are challenged with options to climb, spin, rock and slide. There are BBQ's on site and street parking is easily accessible. 100m down the path at the Findon road entrance to linear park are the toilets (a long way if you're busting but nice to know they're there). There is also more car parking at this enterance and the Tedder Reserve dog park for the 4 legged friends. Plus, its just another 5km to the beach and 8.5km to the city if your feeling really keen! council details here: http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=24&c=603
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Toledo Reserve Playground.
Toledo reserve is a good sized grassed area situated between Toledo Avenue and Annes Court. No amenities here but some good equipemnt for older kids and a small section suitable for toddlers.
council page; http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=24&c=695
West Beach Foreshore Playground.
Harold and Cynthia Anderson Reserve situated on West beach foreshore near the end of Burbridge road. It has a great shade sail over the top but unfortunately no fencing. The equipment is better suited to older children as there are no steps to climb and too challenging for toddlers. There are public toilets located near by so perhaps a walk along the beach might be a better option for the littlies. council page here; http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=24&c=63
Croydon Train Playground
Corner of Elizabeth St and Day Tce, Croydon.
Located directly alongside the train line at the Croydon train station, it sounds like an unlikely place to relax and let the kids run wild - but that's exactly what it is! 'Train park', as it is affectionately known, is a fully fenced playground with two separate play areas for different ages. The older kids area has your usual equipment offering (slide, monkey bars, etc) and also an open grass area and basketball ring. The toddler area alongside is separated by a gated fence and had some great new equipment in a play train and 'monster truck' plus some great kid size (low to the ground so they can push themselves) swings. Both playgrounds have a shaded seating area and one push button BBQ each. The highlight for the kids is when a real Adelaide Metro train pulls into the station every 10 minutes or so! It isn't offensively noisy and it’s great to watch every kid stop and run to the fence or watch the trains go past! For the adults, Elizabeth street running along the Northern end of the playground offer an eclectic mix of cafes, clothes and gift/homeware/design stores to browse or grab a tasty snack. Why not make a day of it and catch the train out from the city for lunch and an afternoon play?!H
