What an amazing toddler playground! This is such a sweet place to come for a play. It's fully…read morefenced and seeing as I turned up just before Christmas, someone had decorated the fence with tinsel. It was so pretty. Obviously this community likes its playground, and so they should. The equipment here is extremely new, bright, colourful and engaging. I would love to bring my daughter here. The entire play area is rubber floored and is designed for children 5 years and younger. It looks like such a fun place to be. There's a really large lawn area within the park, great for frisbee throwing or kicking a ball. The playground does get some shade from the trees around it. There's a bike track that runs behind this pretty little park. This is where you will find a drinking fountain and some seating so if you're riding with your family, this could be a good place to stop for you. *Dogs allowed (on leash)* *Drinking fountain (outside fenced park, a bit of a walk)*

I would hazard to guess that there hasn't been a weekend go by when there hasn't been someone using…read morethis playground/park. It gets a lot of visual attention from people driving by so you've probably seen it in your travels. There is a relatively new car park down Evans Ave but there's still parking down Norman Walk also. A small agility playground has been set up near the Evans Ave car park. There are also swings here and the rest of the play equipment is just a short hop, skip and a jump across the bridge. The playground in the main area is entirely rubber floored and is a cute place for toddlers to hang out. Toilets are close at hand and so is a sheltered table/chair area. At the time I was here, there were about 8 men in Parks and Wildlife uniforms on and I didn't feel like asking them to smile so unfortunately there's no specific photo of that area. You may be able to see it in the background of other photos though. There's also a rotunda available but it's purely shelter, no seating or tables (BYO!). The lawn area is great and many amateur cricket game has been played here. *Dogs allowed (on leash)* *Sheltered table/chair* *Rotunda* *BBQ* *Toilets*

I went to school up the road from Mitcham reserve and over the years we got up to all sorts of…read moreshenanigans here. It's a diverse park in terms of structure, shape and options which should make it accessible to pretty much anyone. We used to come here to play on the playsets, later to have a kick, to go for runs along Brownhill Creek, smoke clandestine cigarettes, and then later still have picnics and chill out with friends. It's hard to call it an actual reserve considering it's mostly just a big space of lawn spotted with benches, play equipment and a rotunda with a creek running through it. Yet, it's a nice place to relax in the shade of a massive gum, and super easy to access.

At the risk of sounding over the top I LOVE THIS PLACE!! It was love at first sight. To think I…read moreused to live a few streets from here and didn't know about this place. Ahhh, how times change after you become a parent. I was so delightfully touched by this place. THIS is yet another playground/park area within the Unley Council that screams "WE LOVE OUR COMMUNITY!" I really, really, REALLY want to give this a five star review but to tell you the truth I was so blown away by it that I didn't look for half of the 'extras' I normally try to find in a five star review. Let me run through some things with you; fully fenced, dog park (see times on photos), shade sails, entirely rubber floored, drinking fountain and snake fountain (I think this is for the four legged members of the family...check out photos), equipment for varying age groups and abilities, table/chairs. The playground itself is a little dated but this is such a wonderful set up the dull grey doesn't even matter (to me anyway). I'm coming back here to check it out further and I'll bring my daughter with me so I have an excuse to swing and slide and climb. *Dogs allowed* *Drinking fountain* *Shade sails*

If you are a toddler and you haven't experienced Orphanage Park yet, grab the nearest adult to you…read moreand tell them to take you here! You are guaranteed to have fun! This completely fenced playground is entirely rubber floored under the play equipment. There are BBQs both inside the fenced are and outside the fenced area. There are tennis courts and drinking fountains. Across the 'driveway' there are toilets and a basketball hoop. The only reason why I didn't give this park a five star rating is that I usually like to see equipment designed for all ages where as this area is definitely directed at the little ones. Taking photos was a little hard. There are ALWAYS people here and I didn't want to be intrusive. Hopefully you can get a fairly good idea from the photos included. *Dogs not allowed in fenced area* *Drinking fountains* *Tennis courts* *Table/chair areas (some sheltered)* *BBQ's*

It's somewhat ironic that a former orphanage - not the happiest of places for kids, if Dickens is…read moreto be believed - should be home to one of Adelaide's best playgrounds. There's lots of shade sails, tables, benches and trees. On a warm summer's morning all of these were greatly appreciated. It's fenced, and there are some creative pieces of play equipment, including a big tyre swing and boat which were both very popular with the smaller members of our party. There are toilets, taps, and even a tennis court, with plenty of parking nearby. It's easy enough for the grown ups to chill out and chat because the kids are so busy enjoying themselves. The only negative is that is can get very busy. On the other hand, it gets busy because it's good, so I hesitate to deduct a star for that. Recommended, especially for the under 8s.

This is just paradise in the middle of the CBD. It's weird…read morewhen you walk past this little garden, you don't really get a true picture of what hides inside. Most of Adelaide just walks past. This garden is not big. But it is just so beautiful and peaceful. The way it is designed really blocks out the sound of the city as well. So, when you do enter it is really like a little secret garden. Japanese gardening is so precise. It's so fascinating. When you look at the trees, shrubs and even the garden pathway, everything is so neat and well planned. There is a pond in the middle with lilies and fish. When we last visited there were also a little group of ducks nestled on a rock near the pond. So cute! Up the back of the garden you will find a seated area with a Zen Garden. This is made from a sort of sand and rock formation. My understanding is that this is raked and shaped every day. A sort of mediation. It would be a lovely way to start your day. If you live in Adelaide, do visit and appreciate all the work that is put into this garden.

A brilliant (and free) garden near the city centre. It's not nearly as expansive as the Chinese…read moreGarden of Friendship in Sydney, but it's peaceful and can be found almost empty on weekday afternoons. If you sit around for a bit, you may even see a Koi or two in the pond, although they can be tough to spot with all those lily pads!

The playground is sparkly new! And it's Shaded!…read more This is a great kid friendly park. The play equipment is bright and up to date. My only concern is its on a lake so the little kids need constant supervision as the playground is missing a gate, but the plus of this is the duckies, swans and other native birds. With toilets, bbq, plenty of picnic tables it's a great relaxing free destination.

I wish I could give extra stars for colourful and pretty playgrounds....not that this one would get…read moreany but it sure would make visiting them that bit more exciting for me ;-) This playground (despite its age and dull colour) really has a lot to offer. The playground would suit a variety of age groups although there isn't a great deal for the teenagers. The entire playground is fenced with a bark chip floor. Close at hand yet out of the fenced playground is a table/chair area (shaded by trees), a BBQ and a drink fountain. There are also electronic toilets not too far away. What this area is lacking is some shade. My goodness I felt hot and uncomfortable just looking at the place. I would recommend adults to check the equipment before little ones get their hands onto equipment that is too hot. There is also a very pretty area to feed the ducks and tennis courts to work on your back hand. *Dogs allowed (not in fenced playground)* *Drinking fountain* *Electronic toilets* *Table/chair area* *BBQ* *Tennis Courts*

It is actaully surrounded by Allchurch Avenue, Talbot Avenue and Park Terrace. Five stars is a BIG…read morecall but this playground is Reserve is better than most free outdoor area's and is about the best of its kind until you get to the much bigger Parks like Jubilee Park or St Kilda. Best of all and what it makes it 5 star worthy, it really does have all the age groups covered. Plus it's a place you can organise a whole day out becuase it has toilets! And GREAT toilets. So good I have done a separate review just on the toilet as it is so worthy!!!! You have to go read about the toilet http://www.yelp.com.au/biz/public-toilet-north-plympton There is a large open grassed area. There is a sign that says no hard ball play on the area though so cricket is out but with tennis balls it would be okay. They also have a basketball area and tennis court. On top of that there isa fantastic playground with heaps of different area's and activites as well as a Liberty Swing. It is a fully fenced swing made with wheelchair access. It's the most fantastic thing I have ever seen at a playground. It's so good to see children with disabilities being included with a special swing even they can use as well as disabled toilet facilities. They have BBQ's, plenty of seating in the shade of the trees and some more seating under a shelter in the centre of the park. Drinking fountains work! Rubbish bins on site as well. Only minor confusion about this park is that there is a doggy bag dispenser in it, I have seen heaps of people walking through here with dogs and there is a sign at the park itself that says dogs not allowed within 2 metres of playground. Yet when I look up the Council's website it says dogs are prohibited on this Reserve. Then why contradict yourselves with doggy bags and signs??????

This playground has a lot to offer a LOT of people. The actual play equipment is a little dated and…read moreit's not the most extensive range you can find but the Reserve, as a whole offers a great day out. There's tennis courts, a basket ball hoop, a drinking fountain, shelter for spectators at the tennis courts, sheltered table closer to the playground, BBQs, toilets and a mechanical swing for those children in wheel chairs. Not to mention the large lawn area where you could spread out a picnic rug or set up a friendly game of footy. This is certainly an area where you could spend many hours with friends and family but make sure you pack other things for the children to play with....I'm not sure if the playground would amuse them for the whole time. *Dogs allowed (not in playground area) *Drinking fountain* *Shelter* *BBQ's* *Tennis Courts* *Basketball Hoop* *Toilets*

I have found a new favourite park. Can't believe I've never known about it before. In fact I have…read moredriven down Osmond Terrace at Norwood on many an occasion and noticed some lovely black wrought iron gates with lots of greenery behind them. This time however I discovered the park via its other entrance, around the corner on Magill Road. I truly believe this park has something for everyone. It's a stunner. This park has obviously been around for a while because there's a plaque inside saying it was opened by Don Dunstan back in 1978 but there are other notices saying it has just undergone a significant upgrade. All I can say to the Norwood Council is ... well done you guys! Great job! Not only is the park beautifully landscaped with accompanying paved areas, there is masses of seating, a playground, barbecues, toilets, a dog drinking fountain, a people drinking fountain and some great art has been created on bare walls to bring them to life as well. The quirkiest and cutest thing in the park would have to be the stump of an old tree that looks like a loo! At first I thought, what a cool seat under that tree but on closer inspection there's a hole in the centre that makes it look more like a toilet. Glad to see someone has a sense of humour when it comes to public spaces. Great park and there are good coffee shops just across Magill Road if you want to get a coffee and enjoy it outdoors. BTW I'm with Tegan - its not a little park!

Richards Park is rad - yes, it is like a secret park because non-locals often miss it - hooray! It…read moreis positioned behind the businesses on the really high profile corner of Magill Rd and Osmond Tce. It's not that small as alleged by my fellow yelpers, rather it has three joined but sort of seperated parts. There are two sets of play equipment, brand new toilet block, a bike parking area, a filtered drinking water 'station', bags for doggy doo, lots of green grass, lots of seating, a mural and a big fancy sign. I love it, so please don't come here unless you are very goodlooking, or intelligent, or interesting, or generally have something to offer, even if it's just chocolate. Otherwise, you're welcome to use it when I'm not. Thanks.

The suburbs under the auspices of The City of Unley are scattered with lots of pretty parks but…read morenone more idyllic than the Fern Avenue Community Garden. An initiative of the Council, this garden is owned by them but is maintained by local residents who run and look after the garden on a day to day basis. The concept of a community garden gives people who live is smaller properties, like a flat or townhouse, and don't have access to a lot of garden space, the opportunity to maintain their own garden. Given the current financial climate, the chance to grow your own fruit and veggies must appeal to any local resident as a way of helping make ends meet. Also on the Fern Avenue site is a building made from straw bales where courses are held for those interested in learning about all things garden like soil prep and composting. If you'd like to get involved in your own patch of dirt in the Fern Avenue Community Garden, contact Cecile Storrie on anhinga@internode.on.net or Jill Skopal on jillskopal@adam.com.au

If you live in the Eastern suburbs and are looking for a great park to take the kids, Scammell…read moreReserve could be just the ticket. Accessed from either Fisher Street at Fullarton or Culross Avenue at Myrtle Bank, this park lies on the boundary between the two suburbs. Whereas a lot of parks are a bit dinky in size these days, this one is BIG with plenty of room for the kids (and the big kids) to run around in. Take the footy with you because this space is perfect for a game of kick to kick. Other facilities on site include tennis courts and an electric barbie. There's an abundance of shade and a playground with good equipment for the littlies. I like to take a blanket and a book and lie under one of the trees. Even though you're literally a stone's throw from a main road (Fullarton Road) you're actually pretty isolated from all the traffic noise which suits me just fine. The other thing that I like is the Fisher Street side is just across the road from a retirement village which I think is good for the residents and gives them a nice outlook even if there aren't too many of them out kicking the soccer ball around. Take note if you're not a dog person because this is a designated dog park. Pooches are allowed off their leashes in this park between the hours of 5pm to 10am. Outside of those hours they must be on a leash. And if you are a dog person - remember to be a poo picker upper or risk a fine from the council.

This sweet little playground has been updated fairly recently. It's a toddler playground and…read morethere's not a great deal to it. I presume the tennis courts get used quite a bit, so the playground would be a nice little distraction for the children. I'm not sure how long the distraction would last though. The entire play area is rubber floored and a sheltered table/chair area plus BBQ are set up in between the playground and the tennis courts. There's plenty of room to run about and kick a ball. Although I didn't see a drinking fountain, I'm sure there's something nearby, perhaps beside the Scout Hall. *Dogs allowed (see photos)* *Tennis courts* *BBQ* *Sheltered table/chair area*