The address notes one entrance for Gardiner's Creek. In reality, the path stretches a long way,…read morefrom a start near St Kevin's school all the way to Blackburn (a sort of north east trajectory). It's great to jog along, as the path is almost entirely shaded. Sometimes you'll be running with only a tiny distance between you and the houses around you, but sometimes it'll be great expanses of greenery. One could use the word "lush" accurately here. I walk the particular stretch noted with my dog. It's a good distance for a walk, covering about a kilometre an a half, with a convenient bin along the way to drop the, um, rubbish. Look out for cyclists, there are a lot of them.

This playground used to be ok. And then they upgraded it. Now it's awesome. Ok, it's not in the…read moresame league as Pheonix park, but it's still pretty darn good. This is for a few reasons: 1) There's a maze. A maze! It's only waist height for most grown ups, so it's one for kids (or for doing on your hands and knees late at night) but how many playgrounds come with a maze these days? 2) Good swings. Really swingy. 3) The actual park is really nice. Glen Iris is a pretty posh area and the council has a lot of money to spend on park upkeep. It's a nice place to take a book and relax under a tree.

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.

These gardens were absolutely gorgeous. Personally, I just saw a green patch on my map application…read moreand decided to check it out, and while they were doing some work on parts of it, by the most part it was lovely. It has some gorgeous flower beds, and in normal times it would be a lovely place to spend some time, especially during one of the nice summer days. Like a lot of these gardens there is also a rotunda. Oh, and it isn't too far from some nice coffee shops either.

Ferndale is a great park for kids and anyone needing a footy oval. There are shops opposite if you…read moreneed food or drinks. The jungle gym is very handy for kiddies and for the hot days there is plenty of shade under the huge trees.

Known locally as "rocket park" due to the 5 level "rocket" on the playground.read more

Quite a pretty park with all the norm park attractions - toilet, BBQ, grassyness, large trees -…read morewhich was actually perfect on the 40 degree day that I visited. The trees are big enough to provide shade for a large group, and the park is quite close to Hawthorn station. About a 5 minute walk if I remember correctly. Quite a win for casual going away/ just cause we can/ birthday picnics and parties.

Good little park that's more for kids on their bikes or skateboards. There are trails through to…read moreFerndale Park and you can see into some pretty schmancy houses from the trail. Lots of teenagers and young adults use the skate park.

This park is fantastic for kids of all ages - the skatepark is well used by children on bikes and…read morescooters. There is space for adults to sit whilst watching their kids having fun. It forms part of a walking/cycling track so it's constantly busy with runners, walkers and cyclists. Dogs must be on their leash.