There are some great places to play hide n seek with little ones, a cafe and a skate park to burn…read moresome energy off. This fort built play area will give hours of enjoyment and with toilets, shade, swings and climbing equipment for all ages there is plenty to do. Enjoy.

Sometimes I wish I had kids, just so that I could have an excuse to spend hours at playgrounds like…read morethis. Then I remember that it's a free world and disapproving looks from the more mature members of the grown-up community does not prevent me from having a jolly good time on what has to be one of the most fantastic playgrounds in suburbia. It has everything. Everything. Wobbly things, running things, things to stick your head into and get it stuck, swings, slides, bridges, flying foxes and other general obstacles. I can only imagine how brilliant a game of tiggy would be (but at night, so as not to injure small bodies with my own lumbering clumsy one). Built by a team of parents, friends and workers, this playground is a wonderful gift to children, child-minders and child-minded alike. A great way to spend an afternoon in the sun, or even the gloom.

This playground is brilliant. It's been recently done up and has all sorts of things to keep me…read moreentertained. There's one of those talkie thingies, the one where you whisper into it and someone with their ear pressed to the other end can hear what you say. It's also got a roundabout (one of those things that goes round and round and round and round and round...), which I can safely say is NOT fun to go on late at night when you're a little bit tipsy and get motion sickness anyway. For everyone else, it's fantastic. Other features of the playground include swings, a rockclimbing wall (big enough for big kids to have to try a bit to climb), and a really well constructed slide set. Very cool.

Mahoneys Reserve in Forest Hill is HUGE. When I say huge I don't just mean HUGE, I mean MEGA HUGE…read more Read on and you will totally agree with me! Reasons to validate not only how HUGE this place is, but also how damn good it is: 1.This place has two general grassy areas surrounded by trees. These are wicked picnic spots with fluffy, comfy grass to lounge on. There are plenty of shaded areas as well as sunny spots. 2. It is right next to the Bob Saker Oval, which has a fence and is great for allowing your furry friend to run around without fearing that he/she might run away. Make sure to clean up after them though as this is used for sport regularly. 3. There is a massive multi-purpose field with goals and line markings used by various clubs. This is fenced off however so you will have to join a club to utilise this. 4. There is a large, un-fenced soccer field complete with goals at one end. This is a little shabbier than the oval with the fence, but at least it's free right? 5. There is a decent sized kids playground behind the oval. It is great for kids, or for getting a good view of the footy games played on weekends. 6. There is a heap of parking spots. 7. There are batting cages around the back of the clubhouse. (Did I mention there was a clubhouse?) 8. The Clubhouse is available for hire. Seriously guys, Mahoneys Reserve is the place to be if you are into sport. It totally rocks and is awesome to relax at on a sunny day.

Ruffey Lake park has something for everyone. Plenty of…read moreBBQ's and covered tables and benches, fun playgrounds, and a huge off leash dog area. Clean toilets and actual working taps ( yes lots of public toilets have no working taps, no locking doors and just plain gross). I find Ruffey lake very enjoyable to visit and amenities are well maintained. Lots of hills and paths for variety. Definitely a lovely day out!

This is a big park. Like huge…read more It feels like you could be far away from the world, but then you can get a glimpse of nearby houses and a small view of the Doncaster mall sitting up on a hill. It really is nice for a daytime, the sun is out so you should be outside type of day. It's good for a walk around their many paths, or for a picnic on one of their many open hilly spaces. If I was a dog, this would be optimum day out stuff. Because at Ruffey Lake Park, there are dogs galore, on leashes, on the footpath, running around, soaking up some sun rays, taking a dip into the lake, this park is their oyster. The lake itself, is average size, it's nothing to exclaim over, or take in. For seating, if you didn't take a blanket with you and are one of those don't-like-grass people, then find yourself one of the many benches that are laid out throughout the park. For the kiddies, there are two playgrounds with swings and activities, I feel like whenever I've been here, that area is hands down the most populated part of the park. For all of your park needs, Ruffey Lake is a stand out.

I wasn't too interested in stopping by this playground, for one, the opening hours are after school…read morehours and generally the kids are a bit pooped and ready to rest, but two... You can't get your kids out once they are in there. This place consists of so much play equipment and guess what?!? ITS FREE! Yes I did say free. It's a community playground run by awesome people and it has so much fun stuff to play with. I can put my 7 year old in there and let him go off and eventually find him later on, all while spitting on a cup of tea and relaxing and talking to other Mums, if I like. Although I do have an almost 3 year old which requires a bit more supervision so I tend to be running through the forts and jumping over toys and other kids to keep up with the energy of a 3 year old. They also have a sand pit and one of those zip line flying things (Sorry don't know the technical name for it!) It is open during school holidays so it's defintely a great place to hang out and let some of the kids get that school holiday energy out.

I have a 4 year old son who doesn't just like to run but needs to be run and this is most certainly…read morethe best play ground in Melbourne. It was built by the community in the 1960's or 70's and there is none of that politically safe rubbish, oh my kid needs to be padded up and protected from everything type attitude stuff going on in this play ground. Your kids can be kids and climb, jump, play, throw, run, get dirty and all that other fun essential stuff kids are meant to be doing. As an adult they have a wee kitchen that you can make yourself a cup of tea, some tables and chairs and you can read your book or have a picnic while the kids run wild. I had my son't birthday there last year which cost around $180 to hire out a room type thing. I had parents come up to me after saying it was the best place they have taken their kid to for a party. HIGHLY recommend this place and am surprised there are no other reviews on this place. Mind you it is reasonable undiscovered and you almost don't want the world to know it exists, so you can keep it for yourself...

Located next to Lord's Reserve, or not sure if this is the governing body of Lord's Reserve and the…read moreswim centre but who cares, it's a gorgeous park for all to enjoy. The perfectly manicured oval is technically out of bounds for dogs off leads, but anyone who knows me well enough, knows that I don't abide by rules like that. My dog poops rainbows and is too cute not to be allowed into these areas. X

Very nice park, good parking, safe environment for children with a fenced in adventure playground…read more One of the best in the eastern suburbs Very nice park, good parking, safe environment for children with a fenced in adventure playground. One of the best in the eastern suburbs

This park has a lot going on. Dog training school, archery lessons, cricket, soccer, BBQs and much…read moremore. It's a great local park with a little river to enjoy the serenity of nature. There is parking available and also a good track to ride your bike or go for a run. It's family orientated, which makes this park very safe. The playground is gated and you can also walk your dogs without a leash. Enjoy your day!

This is a very weird spot for a playground. It is an intersection of two footpaths that link two…read moreseparate streets and two directions of bike path. In the middle sits the playground. There is one, rather low to the ground, wooden bench seat to sit on that faces the swings. My favourite part about the area is that there are a ring of gorgeous green leafy trees that surround the playground. When the sun shines overhead it spills through the leaves in a way that is just beautiful. The playground itself is fairly modest but it would look better if it weren't covered in graffiti. Even the nearby, beautiful trees are covered in graffiti. It is strange because the area doesn't seem to be one that I would associate with crime but I guess it must have some naughty residents or visitors. Maybe avoid this place when it starts getting dark.