As the weather warms up there's one park that stands out from the crowd for my crew and that's 'Whale Park' in Wynnum. It's technically called The Water Park, Wynnum but everyone knows it as the whale park due to the pod of whales in its centre that squirt water to keep the kids cool.
It's the ideal spot to pack a picnic and spend the day lazing in the shade of the huge old fig trees whilst the children clamber over the bright blue whales basking in the sunshine. Children of all ages enjoy the random bursts of water that shoot from the whales' blowholes. The whales are made out of the recycled rubber tarmac that is every mother's favourite surface as it provides plenty of grip for wet feet running around but if the worst happens, a soft landing to keep the damage minimal.
On a chillier day, or when the hilarity of getting drenched wanes, there is a great pirate themed play area to keep the little tykes happy. The climbing frames and other play areas cater to a slightly younger crowd although there is a spider web to keep the 7 crowd busy. This area has soft sand as a landing surface and the littlies can merrily dig for hours if you bring their sand toys.
The fun doesn't stop there. Across from the car park is a more traditional play area with swings and the usual activities. A wily ice-cream van is always cunningly lying in wait here cleaning up on its captive audience but if you're not soft serve people there are a couple of cafes across the road where you can get drinks, ice cream or fish and chips. There are barbecues too if you come prepared.
Older children can then move on to the Wading Pool which is the other side of the toilet and shower block. This is a great pool which is a couple of feet deep at its deepest but which has a slide into the water at the far end. Often you can watch enthusiasts sailing model boats or remote controlled speedboats on the water too.
The park has fantastic facilities with changing rooms, showers and toilets all on hand. There are lots of picnic tables along the promenade beside the wading pool but you would have to get there early to snag one beside the whales. A picnic rug or deck chair is just the ticket for lazing under the trees anyway.
Marks out of ten
Play items: 10
Safety: 9.5 Recycled rubber and sand are great surfaces
Sun safety: 7.5 Plenty of shade under trees but whales are exposed
Water bubbler: 10 Several dotted around in working order
Toilets: 10 Plenty available including disabled
Coffee access: 6 Two cafes but service a bit hit and miss
Parking: 10 Street and car park available
