This was a rather nice park that I sort of discovered as I was making my way along the River…read moreTorrens, though not by foot this time (however I have done that in the past, just to see how long it would actually take). Anyway, this park was actually rather delightful, especially with all the ponds that are located here. The main area is rather flat and grassy, but it is actually surrounded by ponds on three sides, though the side facing the road isn't one of them. It actually makes this place a rather lovely place to walk around. Yeah, I quite liked it.

I remember coming down here as a kid because it was an adventure playground. Actually, I remember…read morefinding out able the place because of a map that I had picked up at a restaurant we had visited. Yeah, this place was okay, it was fun when I was a kid, but when I walked past it years later I have to admit that it wasn't all that great. Still, as a playground, it does have some charm, and does bring back some memories.

I'm absolutely jealous with the residents in St Peters as they have one of the best playgrounds…read morehere. They have the longest slippery dip in this suburb and that's just not fair for some of us who would like something similar in our backyard. Welcome to adventure land. If you can't make it to St Kilda playground, this is kinda mini (double mini version) of St Kilda. A long slippery dip awaits you and it stretches all the way down. I've seen many parents enjoy a fun ride down the slide with their kids in tow. Huge wooden timber fort awaits you in this slippery dip as you call out your mates to join you here. You'll also find a horse riding swing equipment, fantastic swings, flying fox and wait for it.....a long suspension bridge which will guarantee hours of fun, giggles and a bit of butterflies in your tummy! Plenty of benches and plenty of picnic spots to throw a rug here. The only downside I found was the council should have planted more trees here as it can get pretty hot during summer and you don't want to end up with a toasty butt on your way down the slippery dip! Overall: I heart Dunstan Playground.

I used to travel past this park quite regularly when I lived down in the area, namely because the…read morebusway goes right past it. However, I never got a chance to look around, despite even walking the length of the trail from where I lived and into the city. I suspect that the house was a farm that we build here back during the colonial period, though it wasn't open when I came past. The park surrounding it was rather nice as well, with the river nearby, and some nice trails as well. I probably should come and check out the house sometime, but yeah, I'm not really in a hurry to do so.

The Joslin Reserve provided much entertainment for my good self in my teenage years and into my…read moreearly twenties. The younger version of myself went to practice tennis, whereas the older version would find himself there late at night, mildly intoxicated, playing on the swings and giggling! Really, it is a typical inner suburban park with a basket ball hoop, slippery dip and a bit of grass space for tge pick up soccer game. For me, it gets four stars because it was my old local haunt and it is a pretty nice park.

This is a delightful piece of paradise in a beautiful neighborhood. There are many ducks and birds…read moreto enjoy, and my family always likes to take a look. The new playground has a bird theme, but I think it might be a little too advanced for very young children. Kids aged 5 and older can use some parts of it, but certain areas can be quite high and hard to reach. Make sure to stroll along the outer path when you arrive, and get close to the water where the birds are. They waddle over to you, which is an amazing experience.

Thorndon Park Reservoir used to provide the water for the whole area, although is no longer used as…read morea water source these days. The surrounding recreation reserve is really well set out, with a long walk through carefully tended gardens going all round the reservoir set so picturesquely into the hillside. The grounds are huge, with excellent walking trails, and tons of space for family picnics and gatherings. Plenty of bbq's are available to support those gatherings, and there's a kiosk on weekends if you forget your picnic basket. There is a huge playground, all under shade cloth, with a steadily growing collection of equipment for the kids - including the Liberty Swing, a special swing for children in wheelchairs to ride, a nice touch although I'm yet to see it in use. There's a big spiders web on a stick for climbing, a number of swinging things that spin around (one with rather comfy chairs dangling from a frame shaped like two big bat wings - not that I'm a big kid at heart or anything), swings, see saws - there's hours of screaming and running around like a mad thing here, and then the kids can have fun on the playground too. :) There's fish in the water - mostly small minnows of some sort, but bigger fish can be spotted at times if you're feeding the ducks. Lots of trees provide shady areas for the picnic and bbq crowd - there's a few big structures and pavilions, too, if it's wet. BBQ's are electric and plentiful. Thorndon Park is used for a number of gatherings for the local community, including Campbelltown Proud Day, a celebration of all that there is in the local area, a big Christmas celebration starting with a parade and ending in fireworks and carols. This is one of my favourite spots for a stroll - many a time I stopped in on the way home from a hectic day in the office and had a wander right round the lake. Calm, peaceful and serene - a world apart from the kids playground on a busy weekend. Recommended.

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.

This place is missing a 5th star as missing toilets! Another beautiful water world to make you need…read moreto go too. However it has pretty much everything else covered. There are lots of BBQ's, heaps of space, seating, shade, drinking fountains, lots of water area's / lakes with heaps of birds and ducks around so bring along some bread to feed them. There's walking or riding paths all the way around and through this reserve and it is really quite large. There's a reasonable playground area, fully fenced as well with more seating and shade over the Kew Drive side of the park. There is also a small block of shops right at the edge of the reserve. Nice place to spend a day and get a pizza or something from here if you don't want to bring a BBQ. Some awkward streets to get through but you can easily find parking around the park at various spots.

The reserve is great for a walk around, lots of wildlife and shade around the ponds. Not the best…read moreplayground in summer due to the metal slide which was extremely hot at midday on a day that was fairly mild

Hidden gem for parents…read more My employer held its family Christmas BBQ here last year. The highlight was watching a small kid try to operate a big water fountain. To reach the spout he had to let go of the button. He was pretty quick! ...but not quick enough for a drink. Solid entertainment, until mum came to the rescue and held the button. Lots of positives: Being out front of the Aquatic Centre ensures adequate parking, clean toilets and added safety. Soft mats or sand surround all equipment, with a fence around the lot to keep 'em caged in. Outside of the fencing are two BBQ's, and of course there's the Aquatic Centre kiosk for treats. Don't forget hats and sunscreen, as the equipment's not shaded; however, there is a gazebo. Slides, forts, a small flying fox, a wheel chair swing (requires key from Aquatic Centre during opening hours) a four way swing and a maze. Your kids will love it. The little shits won't want to leave.

I was pretty excited to put this playground through my daughter's paces and it did not disappoint…read more Some of the equipment has been very well used but it whole playground seems to have been maintained really well. This is an awesome place for Primary School aged children as well as younger children. There's a lot of rubber flooring, drinking fountain and toilets aren't too far away. There wasn't a great deal of shade over the playground or for those of us parents who sat on the lawn. There is a sheltered seating area closer to the playground (not that anything is too far from anything else) but with the number of families that come through this playground in a day, you would need to get in early for a table. The whole playground is fenced and there are BBQs and table/chairs under the pine trees just outside the fence also. There is just SO much here for children to play on. Don't be surprised if they want nothing to do with you for at least a couple of hours :-) *No dogs allowed* *Drinking fountain* *Sheltered table/chair* *Toilets short walk away*

Fabulous park for kids to play and have picnic. My only…read moreconcern is the pathway between equipment. Kids aren't aware of the speed of bikes and scooters ridden by kids and adults. Saw a few near misses . Worried someone might get hit. Bark chips are spread over all pathways and other areas. May become uncomfortable to walk on .

Having lived in Adelaide all of my life, it is rare for me to come across a spot that I quite…read moreliterally had no idea existed. Last year I has one such experience, and I struck GOLD! The Jack Watckins Reserve on Churchill Road is really easy to miss. It's entrance is nestled between the railway yard (used mainly for storing the pylons for wind-farm windmills) and some light industry, but once you enter the car park you see rolling hills (Julie Andrews starts singing), a picturesque gum tree lined path, play equipment, circuit training equipment and even a bbq area! The area is perfect for a family picnic, with plenty to keep the junior kiddiwinkles entertained plus a basketball half court for the older sporties and plenty of room for a dob of the pigskin should the testosterone levels reach an appropriate level! Although the park has many fun options for all, it also has a serious side being dedicated to those who lost their lives due to Asbestos diseases as a result of working on the old Islington Railway line. There are many stories and writings located in the park and along the pathway that are definately worth the time to read. Even if you don't take the clan for a bbq day there, it is worth the time to swing by and see some of what Adelaide has hidden if you look hard enough. P.S. The Park is open until 8:00pm during daylight savings.

Yet another trip down memory lane! Linde Reserve used to be the home of the St Peters Bowling Club,…read moreand the Lawn Bowls for People with a Disability Synthetic Green. I used to visit this reserve often on Bowls related business, and always took the time to appreciate the surroundings. Now both the club and extra green have been demolished and replaced by open space and a community garden. I thought I would hate it, but I don't. I still really like the park! It is currently in, what seems to be, the final stages of a revamp, with new plants/landscaping, some community art, playground and some funky signs that probably cost 2 or 3 Billion dollars each. It has a little bit of everything with plenty of seating, open space, soccer goals, basketball half court, play equipment and bbq areas for family picnics. I also like the fact, that unless you set up on the Nelson Road side, you would have little to no idea that you were right in the middle of suburbia! Feel the serenity!