HOT: Plum Garland Playground, Albert Park
The Plum Garland Memorial Playground in Albert Park is a fantastic example of how a playground can be integrated well with its surroundings.
In this case, the beachfront of Albert Park / South Melbourne creeps into the playground, making it a sandy spectacular delight. This is a playground where shoes off are definitely encouraged!
Inside the fully fenced playground there are swings with views of the big cruise ships…
….a high wooden fort with a steering wheel and an unexpectedly fast slide (I hear at least one kid wailing in fright at the bottom)…
…a rope climbing frame with not-very-bouncy trampoline…
…and an unusual flat spinner. It's sort of like a hamster wheel for kids where they can easily jump on and off. Baby 2.0 can't get enough of it and it's a great way to expend his excess energy.
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On hot days there is a water play area with a sand fort and water trough/pump which is fun and makes the surrounding area very dirty, so bring a towel.
For toddlers there's a tiny harness swing and a nest swing, plus two small slides.
The Plum Garland Memorial Playground has large overhead sun sails, a picnic table/bench set up and a few other benches dotted around, as well as wooden swivel chairs and loungers with beachfront views. Toilets are nearby on Beaconsfield Parade heading north.
And of course one of the best features is that it's so easily accessible to the beach, so you can extend your play to a paddle in the bay.
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HOT Tips:
- suitable for toddlers;
- suitable for older kids;
- picnic tables (not all under cover);
- water tap;
- shaded;
- fully fenced;
- toilets are outside the playground on Beaconsfield Parade heading north;
- bring bathers or a change of clothes, thongs and a towel – the water play can get messy;
- while a lot of the playground is under shade sails, not all of it is, so wear a hat and sunscreen;
- paid parking along Beaconsfield Parade. Directly in front of playground is $5.30 per hour or $12.60 per day. Across the other side of the road is free 1 hour parking.
This is one of my local parks. Another hot tip for summer days, get there early. It’s packed out by 11am.
Thanks for the tip!