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                    Playgrounds

                    Playground with elevated tree houses

                    ​The playground completed in 2021 at Lincoln Square in Carlton

                    At the City of Melbourne we have over 40 exciting and challenging playgrounds for children to explore.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Playgrounds provide opportunities for children to develop, test and learn new skills in a creative play environment. Part of this development is learning about risk under the supervision of a parent or carer. All City of Melbourne playgrounds are installed and maintained in line with applicable Australian Standards, however parents/guardians should note the following statement included in Australian Standard 4685.1: 

                    'Risk-taking is an essential feature of play provision and of all environments in which children legitimately spend time playing. Play provision aims to offer children the chance to encounter acceptable risks as part of a stimulating, challenging and controlled learning environment. Play provision should aim at managing the balance between the need to offer risk and the need to keep children safe from serious harm.'

                    Parents and carers need to be aware that active supervision of your child is part of the deal when you visit a playground.​

                    • It is the parent/carer’s responsibility to determine if their child/children have the skills, strength and ability to use the item in a safe manner – play at your own risk.
                    • Slides and other equipment can get hot.  Parents/guardians should check the temperature prior to their children using the equipment, and do not use if it is hot.
                    • Play equipment, walkways, decks and paths can be slippery when wet.
                    • Please don’t bring glass containers into playgrounds. 
                    • Please put rubbish in bins.
                    • No smoking within 10 metres of playgrounds.
                    • Our playgrounds are closed between dusk and dawn.
                    • Please ring 9658 9658 to report damage or graffiti on the play equipment.

                    Check out a map of our playgrounds, or see below for:

                    Playgrounds by suburb

                    Carlton

                    Canning and Palmerston streets Playground

                    Canning Street, Carlton

                    A small, friendly local playground for toddlers and young children, right near cosmopolitan Carlton.

                    Playground features:

                    • play panel
                    • cubby house
                    • some disabled access.

                    Carlton Gardens North Playground

                    Rathdowne Street, Carlton

                    Kids can have fun all day on this large play structure, based on the concept of a 19th century maze. Here, you'll find everything that opens and shuts, swings, hangs or stands!

                    Playground features:

                    • multi-level platform structures 
                    • musical elements 
                    • slides
                    • a climbing wall
                    • a cubby
                    • swings
                    • track glide
                    • sandpit 
                    • climbing frame 
                    • spring seesaw 
                    • some shade
                    • disabled access
                    • public toilet
                    • basketball court.

                    Lincoln Square Playground

                    ​138-142 Bouverie Street, Carlton

                    The creation of a brand new playground was completed in 2021. Nestled in among the giant Moreton Bay figs are two towers joined by a rope bridge. Other play elements are nestled among a host of ferns and rainforest plants.

                    The new playground features:

                    • high towers connected by a rope bridge
                    • swings
                    • slides
                    • rainforest floor walk
                    • timber balance beams
                    • speaking tubes
                    • giant music chimes
                    • water play
                    • lots of shade
                    • picnic tables
                    • barbecues
                    • public toilet.

                    Princes Park North Playground

                    Bowen Crescent, Carlton

                    A small playground surrounded by open grassy areas suitable for ball games and large shady trees. 

                    Playground features:

                    • rockers
                    • swings
                    • a seesaw.

                    Princes Park South Playground

                    Bowen Crescent, Carlton

                    A large playground surrounded by open grassy areas suitable for ball games and large shady trees.

                    Playground features: 

                    • a spinning disc 
                    • a five-way swing
                    • a double infant swing
                    • sandplay area with cubbies 
                    • a multi-level platform structure for older kids
                    • a slide
                    • a basket swing 
                    • barbecues
                    • picnic settings
                    • public toilet 
                    • seats.

                    Docklands

                    Buluk Park

                    894-910 Collins Street, Docklands

                    This shaded playground is aimed at younger children. Enjoy the two small combination units and the water play area.

                    • Small combination units with steps, slides and lookouts
                    • Musical foot chimes
                    • Water play
                    • Cat statues
                    • Play ball games on the large grassed area
                    • Shade
                    • Seats
                    • Toilets in the adjacent library

                    Docklands Park Playground

                    Harbour Esplanade, Docklands

                    This colourful playground offers a range of activities – including rolling down the adjacent grassy mound!

                    Playground features: 

                    • spinning poles
                    • a slide 
                    • a spinning carousel
                    • a five-way swing and a sandpit
                    • toilets
                    • picnic tables 
                    • barbecues.

                    Point Park Playground

                    Point Park Crescent, Docklands

                    This musical playground sits right beside the Yarra and is perfect for smaller children. Once you’re done with all the unusual play equipment you can play ball games on the large grassy area. 

                    Playground features:

                    • a small swing
                    • slides 
                    • a spinning carousel
                    • musical elements modelled on native flowers
                    • a small water play element including a pump, ephemeral creek bed and sandpit
                    • barbecues 
                    • shaded picnic tables
                    • public toilet.

                    Ron Barassi Senior Park Playground

                    Docklands Drive, Docklands

                    This new playground complete with challenging rocket ship slide, is located at the end of Docklands Drive under the Bolte Bridge. 

                    Playground features:

                    • an extensive sandpit with a large digger
                    • sandplay items 
                    • a rope bridge 
                    • a tall tyre swing and tyre spring spinners 
                    • water play area including a water pump and water channel along the bluestone paving
                    • barbecues
                    • seats
                    • picnic settings
                    • a sports field
                    • public toilet with change table 
                    • car parking.

                    Victoria Green Playground

                    Import Lane, Docklands

                    A small playground perfect for littlies. It sits near green space that’s ideal for kicking a ball around.

                    Playground features:

                    • a sandpit
                    • a slide
                    • climbing frames
                    • a sandplay toy.

                    Wharfs Landing Playground

                    South Wharf Drive, Docklands

                    This playground has been designed for older children and features plenty of climbing opportunities.

                    Playground features: 

                    • climbing, swinging and balancing elements suspended from timber poles
                    • a barbecue
                    • picnic settings
                    • drinking fountain 
                    • seats.

                    East Melbourne

                    Fitzroy Gardens Playground

                    Clarendon Street, East Melbourne

                    Let their imagination run wild at this creature-filled playground. Slide down the dragon’s tail, swing on the giraffe’s ears and see the dragon glowing in the dark! 

                    Playground features: 

                    • dragon slide
                    • giraffe swing
                    • sandpit 
                    • sandplay wheel
                    • public toilet
                    • plenty of shade.

                    Powlett Reserve Playground

                    Albert and Grey streets, East Melbourne

                    A timber playground with excellent creative play opportunities. Rubber and asphalt paths provide great accessibility.

                    Playground features:

                    • a multi-level platform structure 
                    • a fort tower
                    • tic-tac-toe
                    • warped mirror
                    • chalkboard
                    • four-way spring rocker
                    • swings 
                    • slides
                    • squeeze bars
                    • abacus
                    • a sandpit
                    • picnic tables
                    • some shade
                    • a barbecue
                    • public toilet
                    • disabled access 
                    • a basketball half court.

                    Kensington

                    Bayswater Road Reserve Playground

                    Bayswater Road, Kensington

                    A fun fenced playground, with equipment for all ages with rubber pathways designed especially for wheelchair access. There is also a large grassed area suitable for ballgames.

                    Playground features: 

                    • swings
                    • rockers
                    • a slide
                    • play units with mirror panel, abacus, shop front, clock and steering wheel
                    • a barbecue
                    • a picnic table
                    • shade
                    • disabled access.

                    Bellair Street Reserve Playground

                    Bellair Street, Kensington

                    Drop into this new partly fenced playground near the Macaulay Road shopping centre.

                    Playground features: 

                    • a play car
                    • swings
                    • multi-level platform structures
                    • slides 
                    • a picnic table
                    • a barbecue.

                    The Crescent Reserve Playground

                    The Crescent, Kensington

                    This reserve features a large grassed area perfect for ballgames, as well as a half basketball court.

                    JJ Holland Park Extreme Sports Precinct

                    Kensington Road, Kensington

                    Extreme sports more your thing? This playground is the perfect place to bring along your bikes, skates and skateboards.

                    Playground features: 

                    • BMX track
                    • skate bowl ramps
                    • grinding rails
                    • public toilet
                    • seats.

                    JJ Holland Park Playground

                    Altona Street, Kensington

                    This large playground was refurbished in mid 2021. Colourful play towers, a rope climbing dome, swings and slides have been landscaped in a naturalistic way to provide a fun and challenging experience. There are good picnic and park facilities for the family including a toilet and the basketball half-court has been upgraded.

                    Playground features: 

                    • a space net
                    • monkey bars 
                    • multi-level platform towers
                    • slides
                    • double cableway
                    • swings 
                    • bouncing mats
                    • slacklining poles
                    • sandpit
                    • lots of shade
                    • public toilet
                    • barbecues 
                    • picnic tables.

                    Kensington Adventure Playground (The Venny)

                    Kensington Road, Kensington

                    The Kensington Adventure Playground is a free communal backyard and play space located in JJ Holland Park.

                    It was designed for and with children aged 5 to 16 years living in the Kensington public housing estate and surrounding areas.

                    More information at The Venny.

                    Kensington Town Hall Reserve Playground

                    Bellair Street, Kensington

                    The reserve at Kensington Town Hall has a large grassy space surrounded by trees. In the shade of the trees there is a small playground featuring swings.

                    Liddy Street Reserve Playground

                    Liddy Street, Kensington

                    An open grassy area suitable for ball games adjacent to a small playground.

                    Playground features: 

                    • a multilevel play structure
                    • a climber
                    • a slide
                    • swings
                    • rockers.

                    Mercantile Parade and Newman Street Playground

                    Mercantile Parade, Kensington

                    A small playground in Kensington Banks where you can hunt for brightly coloured toadstools in the long feathery grass.

                    Playground features: 

                    • a slide
                    • double rocker
                    • multi-level play structure
                    • a sandpit
                    • a small swing.

                    Mercantile Parade and Tankard Street Playground

                    Mercantile Parade, Kensington

                    A medium sized playground in a grassy area of Kensington Banks, perfect on a hot day. 

                    Playground features: 

                    • swing
                    • see saw
                    • small tower
                    • shade structure
                    • balancing balls
                    • stockyard style fencing.

                    Parsons Reserve Playground

                    Parsons Street, Kensington

                    A small grassy reserve with a playground perfect for younger kids.

                    Playground features:

                    • multi-level platform structures
                    • rockers
                    • swings
                    • a slide.

                    Robertson Street Reserve Playground

                    Robertson Street, Kensington

                    A small partly fenced playground with a large play structure.

                    Playground features:

                    • a multi-level platform structure
                    • a play car
                    • a carousel 
                    • swings.

                    Warun Biik playground

                    Clifford Terrace, Kensington

                    This playground is a large timber platform built around an oak tree. 

                    Playground features:

                    • steps
                    • a slide
                    • tunnels
                    • climber
                    • a spring rocker
                    • a barbecue
                    • picnic settings
                    • a drinking fountain 
                    • seats.

                    Melbourne

                    ArtPlay Playground

                    Birrarung Marr, Melbourne

                    A colourful and modern play space with plenty of creative and fun things to do. Why not visit ArtPlay and the Federation Bells as well?

                    Playground features: 

                    • rock and rope climbing features
                    • a space net
                    • slides
                    • a swinging hammock
                    • liberty swing for wheelchairs
                    • quiet areas and active play areas
                    • public toilet
                    • picnic table
                    • some shade 
                    • disabled access.

                    Riverslide Skate Park

                    Alexandra Avenue, Melbourne

                    This challenging skate park features grinding rails, steel and concrete ramps and is staffed all year round.


                    North Melbourne

                    Gardiner Reserve Playground

                    Haines Street, North Melbourne

                    A new playground for all ages with a cute insect theme. Look for the mummy spider, her babies and their spider web climbing structure.

                    There are also multi-level platform structures, bridges, slides and ladders. Test your balance on the pile of logs. Kids will be challenged and have fun for hours!

                    Playground features: 

                    • multi-level play structure
                    • a slide
                    • rockers
                    • swings
                    • a barbecue
                    • picnic table
                    • some shade.

                    North Melbourne Community Centre Playground

                    Buncle Street, North Melbourne

                    Small, shaded playground near the North Melbourne Community Centre.

                    Playground features: 

                    • a basket swing
                    • a double swing
                    • multilevel play structures/climbers
                    • a spinner 
                    • a slide 
                    • barbecue
                    • seats
                    • a rotunda 
                    • netball/basketball half courts 
                    • a mini soccer pitch.

                    Parkville

                    Galada Avenue Reserve Playground

                    Bunjil Way, Parkville

                    This quiet playground is adjacent to a large grassy area great for ballgames. There are two groups of exercise equipment nearby.

                    Playground features:

                    • a multi-level platform structure
                    • a sandpit
                    • swings
                    • slides
                    • spinning pole 
                    • a double spring rocker
                    • a barbecue
                    • picnic tables
                    • a drinking fountain
                    • seats 
                    • shade.

                    Ievers Reserve Playground

                    Flemington Road, Parkville

                    An attractive grassy setting for parents to relax while children have fun on the fort, slide and other play features. Good for social climbers.

                    Playground features: 

                    • swings
                    • spinner
                    • fort
                    • slide 
                    • climbing features
                    • space net
                    • public toilet
                    • lots of shade.

                    Manningham Street Reserve Playground

                    Manningham Street​, Parkville

                    Let the kids play the traditional way, with timber equipment and grassed areas for other play opportunities. A favourite with all ages.

                    Playground features: 

                    • wooden tower
                    • a slide
                    • a swing
                    • rockers
                    • stepping posts
                    • grassed areas.

                    Nature Play at Royal Park

                    Corner of Flemington Road and Gatehouse Street, Parkville

                    This accessible, nature-based play space features plants and play elements representing the seven Wurundjeri seasons, as a way to encourage discovery and understanding of Indigenous Melbourne. 

                    Features of the surrounding parkland include open grassy lawns, natural vegetation and amenities including seating, drinking fountains, picnic tables and BBQs. Networks of paths invite visitors to explore further into Royal Park.

                    This new section of reinstated parkland at Royal Park has been created on the site of the former Royal Children’s Hospital, providing a new gateway to Royal Park.

                    Playground features:

                    • a climbing forest
                    • a rocky escarpment with slides, swings and water play 
                    • picnic tables
                    • barbecues 
                    • public toilet.

                    Southbank

                    Boyd Park

                    Kavanagh Street, Southbank

                    An exciting new playground for younger children includes:

                    • swings
                    • crawl tunnels in a sandpit
                    • rock climbing slope
                    • slide
                    • double see-saw
                    • twirl bars
                    • carousel
                    • shade
                    • picnic tables
                    • seats
                    • barbecue
                    • drinking fountain.

                    Grant Street Reserve Playground

                    Grant Street, Southbank

                    Set among the dry creek bed with native plants, bridges and meandering paths, there is also an open grassy area.

                    Playground features:

                    • a slide
                    • a sandpit
                    • a swing
                    • a cube climber 
                    • a spinner 
                    • seats.

                    Southbank Boulevard Play Space

                    ​Corner Southbank Boulevard and Kavanagh Street, Southbank

                    This exciting and challenging play space called ‘Rocks on Wheels’ was designed by Mike Hewson and was inspired by the Diane Arbus photograph with the same title. Huge rocks have been playfully placed on fixed trolleys and are joined by a variety of play components. Watch out for the ‘runaway rocks’ as you walk along Southbank Boulevard towards the play space!

                    • Swings
                    • Slides
                    • Monkey bars
                    • Ropes for climbing
                    • Rocks for climbing
                    • Sand Pit
                    • Part fenced
                    • Drinking fountain
                    • Seats

                    South Yarra

                    Fawkner Park North East Playground

                    Park Place, South Yarra

                    Close to Toorak Road, this popular playground has plenty of climbing and balancing options. 

                    Playground features: 

                    • multi-level platforms
                    • slides
                    • parallel bars
                    • a balance beam
                    • a turnover bar
                    • a climbing net
                    • a track ride.

                    Fawkner Park South East Playground

                    Pasley Street, South Yarra

                    This large playground is surrounded by open, green space and is popular with children of all ages. 

                    Playground features: 

                    • multi-level platforms/combination units
                    • swings
                    • slides
                    • rockers
                    • a sandpit
                    • a spidernet climber
                    • barbecues
                    • seats
                    • picnic settings 
                    • a basketball court.

                    Fawkner Park Toddler Playspace

                    Toorak Road, South Yarra

                    Situated beneath beautiful spreading shade trees and surrounded by open, green space, this playground is perfect for toddlers.

                    Playground features: 

                    • sandpit
                    • musical steps
                    • shade
                    • concrete balls 
                    • a sensory garden. 

                    West Melbourne

                    Eades Reserve Playground

                    Chetwynd Street, West Melbourne

                    Keeping fit is playing too! This local playground has a range of play equipment, as well as fitness equipment that‘s fun for parents and children.

                    The playground features: 

                    • a multi-level platform structure
                    • a slide
                    • a double rocker
                    • a trackride
                    • climbing features
                    • lots of shade
                    • swings
                    • a basketball half court 
                    • some disabled access.

                    Flagstaff Gardens Playground

                    William Street, West Melbourne

                    City workers come here to relax, but juniors can monkey around on climbing bars, dig in the sandpit, or do the twist on the spiral slide. There‘s so much to do, why not make a day of it?

                    Playground features: 

                    • multi-level platform structure with slides
                    • swings
                    • a 5-way swing
                    • a rope dome
                    • sandpit with diggers
                    • a periscope
                    • a double spring rocker
                    • a pony rocker
                    • public toilet
                    • a barbecue
                    • a picnic table
                    • shade.

                    Hawke and Adderley streets Playground

                    ​Hawke Street, West Melbourne

                    This playground has been expanded to cater for a wider age range of children. It’s now bigger, with level variations, new seating and new play equipment.

                    Playground features: 

                    • a large sandpit with digger 
                    • a spinning disc
                    • swings 
                    • slides
                    • a barbecue
                    • a picnic setting
                    • seats 
                    • a drinking fountain. 

                    Skate parks

                    • Riverslide Skate Park (Alexandra Avenue, Melbourne): This challenging skate park features grinding rails, steel and concrete ramps and is staffed all year round.
                    • JJ Holland Extreme Sports Precinct (Kensington Road, Kensington): This playground is the perfect place to bring along your bikes, skates and skateboards. It features a BMX track, skate bowl ramps and grinding rails.

                    Exercise equipment

                    The following parks and locations have outdoor exercise equipment:

                    • Galada Avenue Reserve, Parkville
                    • Princes Park, Parkville
                    • The Hub, Docklands
                    • Eades Park, West Melbourne
                    • Powlett Reserve, East Melbourne​​
                    • North Melbourne Recreation Reserve, North Melbourne

                    Slacklining poles

                    Slacklining poles have been installed adjacent to the playground at JJ Holland Park on Altona Street, Kensington. Slacklining ropes, resistance bands, tightropes or other gym equipment are not allowed to be attached to trees, lights or any other piece of infrastructure in our parks.

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