Introducing the freshly upgraded park at Donald McLean Reserve, with an enormous playground that’s been specifically designed to cater to the needs of children and families in Melbourne’s inner west.
With a flying fox, swings, slides, climbing ropes, a sand pit with water play and heaps more, the playground offers a really good range of activities that promote outdoor play, physical activity and fun, fun, fun for the whole family!
Exciting enhancements to the park at Donald McLean Reserve also include a bike skills area with a pump track, large sheltered barbecue facilities, basketball and netball court, outdoor exercise equipment as well as pleasant gardens and walking paths.
Donald McLean Reserve Playground
Located in Spotswood just off the West Gate Freeway, Donald McLean Reserve is a wonderful open space – perfect for all sorts of family recreation activities.
The new playground, which was built as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project, features a diverse range of things your kids will love.
One of the standout features of the playground is the large bike skills track that also has a pump track. Kids can bring their bikes, skateboards, scooters or skates and test their skills on a challenging and fun course designed to improve their riding abilities. The pump track is perfect for those who love to ride, and kids can experience the thrill of speed. There are concrete paths throughout the reserve and around the two ovals, which are perfect for practising bike skills too.
A water play and sand pit area provides a refreshing way to cool off on hot days, as well as plenty of creative sensory play to enjoy any time of year. Nearby the sand pit there is a nest swing and two steep metal slides upon soft-fall rubber, a great place for kids to build on their climbing skills over and over again.
Then there’s the two-line flying fox, small spinning roundabout, in-ground trampoline, and a giant climbing pod that spins, providing endless fun for children who love a little adrenaline rush.
For smaller kids, there’s another wooden playground that has a small slide, tunnel, swings and climbing ropes.
It’s great to see a number of established trees dotted throughout the park, as well as many newly planted flowers, shrubs and bushes, allowing for nature-based play.
The park upgrade has included a barbecue area with picnic tables and water fountain, under a large wooden shelter. And for those who want to take a break from the action, there are plenty of benches and a number of shaded areas to sit and rest.
The funding for this park upgrade, in partnership between the West Gate Tunnel Project and Hobsons Bay City Council, has also helped provide new cricket nets, a shared sports pavilion, upgraded ovals and better facilities across Donald McLean Reserve.
Sport-loving families can make use of the wide, open grassy oval right beside the playground to kick a football, or set up a game of cricket. Bring your frisbees, kites, bocce, or any other lawn games and enjoy – there’s plenty of space for everyone. There’s even free public tennis courts at the other end of the reserve.
Outdoor exercise equipment on the outskirts of the playground includes an innovative seniors exercise park. Promoting physical activity for our older family and friends, this area is a great way to bring everyone together for an uplifting and fun outdoor experience.
Unfortunately the playground upgrade did not include a toilet block, however there are some public toilets a short walk across the oval at the sports club.
There is a petrol station with a convenience store across the road from the park, and while you’re in the area we highly recommend a visit to Candied Bakery for some freshly baked treats, or Duchess of Spotswood for a hearty brunch with a play area for the kids, both of which are a short drive away on Hudsons Rd.
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