By Melissa Meehan
Looking for the best playgrounds in Stonnington and Boorondara?
Look no further – we’ve found some impressive places in your area coupled with picturesque parks and gardens.
Whether you are looking to take a relaxing stroll, want to entertain the kids in a fun playground, or are planning a family picnic by the river, there are many perfect places for you.
McArthur St Reserve
McArthur Street, Malvern
McArthur St Reserve, located next door to the Maternal and Child Health Centre, has a good range of facilities for a relatively small park. This park was recently upgraded with extra play and interactive features throughout the garden for children to explore.
Phoenix Park
Ivanhoe Grove, Malvern East
The Phoenix Park precinct is the heart of Malvern East, providing a wonderful location for the community to meet, learn from one another, attend activities and recreate.
Markham Reserve
Victory Blvd, Ashburton
The excellent adventure playground features climbing nets, a large seesaw, a flying fox, monkey bars, a rotating flower, large wooden kookaburras, a sandpit and great swings for all ages.
The playground is completely enclosed by a safety fence.
Como and Como North Parks
Home to Stonnington’s Carols by Candlelight each year, it’s no surprise locals flock to these parks regularly.
There is plenty to keep the family entertained here, including exercise equipment, a playground, bicycle path, barbecue area and ample space to kick the footy.
Ferndale Park
Glen Iris Road, Glen Iris
Situated on the little known Ferndale Trail, the tress in this park seem to go on forever and it has a great playground that will keep the kids wanting to come back. The kids will also be amazed by the futuristic toilet block.
Hays Paddock
Known for sports and its all-abilities playground, Hays Paddock is also a great setting for picnics. It has tables and seating set in bushland are perfect for social gatherings.
And playground is designed to enable all children to play together.
Markham Reserve
As well as a playground, sportsgrounds, a community garden and beautiful spots for picnics, the reserve has a great area for BMX, scooter and skateboard riders.
Markham Reserve is a fantastic, large open space. A scenic path for cyclists runs alongside Gardiners Creek.
The excellent adventure playground features climbing nets, a large seesaw, a flying fox, monkey bars, a rotating flower, large wooden kookaburras, a sandpit and great swings for all ages. And it has a fence!!
Beckett Park and Maranoa Gardens
Famous for its stone observation tower, maze and extensive playground and indigenous plants, Beckett Park is a unique green space with everything you need for a wonderful outdoor experience.
Children delight in this wonderland of ramps, swings, slides and monkey bars as well as its in-ground trampoline and large sandpit with mechanical scoops.
The stone observation tower provides views right across Melbourne as far as Mount Macedon in the north west, and there’s even a wooden maze to lose yourself in.
Central Gardens
Central Gardens is located in the heart of Hawthorn.
These gardens have an outstanding collection of majestic, mature trees surrounded by sweeping lawns.
Local children all know about the very popular ‘rocket’ playground area, with a huge rocket for climbing and a super long slide.
Junction Skate and BMX Park
Managed by the YMCA on behalf of the local council, Junction Skate and BMX Park is a great park for young people and families.
One of Melbourne’s best action sports facilities, the park is home to international standard spine bowls and street courses.
The staff are trained in first aid, are all qualified skate coaches, and offer skateboard, scooter and BMX lessons for all skill levels and ages.
