Mawson Park

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Posted 2012-07-29 by Helenonthesofa ⇒ follow

Hot off the press; there's a new entrant on my family's favourite park list; Mawson Park. Based up in Hillarys, easily accessed from Marmion Avenue, this park is perfect for all ages with a playground equipped for kids big and small so ideal for multi age family groups.

The park includes free to use BBQs, picnic gazebos, benches, walking and running paths, a lake (great for feeding ducks), a huge sports oval in addition to one of the best multi age playgrounds I've seen.

The centrally positioned lake provides a beautiful backdrop to enjoy a gentle and scenic walk around the park. Dogs are allowed and this would make a great spot for a pleasant stroll in the sunshine. There are lots of great picnic spots, with the local friendly ducks seeming very obliging in picking up leftover sandwich crumbs.

The Playground
Playgrounds in my experience often fall into the category of either for toddlers or for big kids with very few providing a space where kids of all ages can play happily and safely together. Mawson Park, however, excels at creating a play space with enough climbing apparatus to challenge big kids looking to explore yet has also remembered the smaller folk and provided some really lovely features for toddlers to play in, on and around.

Little Kids

Specifically with toddlers in mind, there is a section of the park that has focused on height aware climbing frames complete with a host of colourful slides to whizz down on in addition to the inclusion of some great interactive play zones.

A favourite with my little toddler was the 'cafe and general store' where he set up shop, trading his carefully collected leaves and sticks with the other kids. Very cute; but moreover what a clever concept to have added into this play space. There is also a sandpit close by and some colourful see-saw and sit on rocking animals paraphernalia.

Bigger Kids

The bigger kids have certainly not been forgotten, and the remainder of the playground is simply littered with climbing structures for their entertainment and enjoyment. Choose from an agility course, a vertical climbing net or from Spider-man web type climbing structures. So much choice to keep boredom at bay and enhance the playground visit.

Of course, no playground is complete without some swings and is no different. What I particularly like about the swings here is that the chains, which kids relentlessly manage to trap fingers into, have been covered with a genius plastic coating to stop any accidents. Smart thinking and super child friendly.

As with all parks, I am a fan of parent supervision and I would stress that as there is a beautiful lake adjacent to the park within easy wandering or crawling distance from the playground, that parents should keep an eye on the whereabouts of their kids. The lake is not fenced in, and is easily accessible for little kids with curious eyes (and feet). All in, this park is one that I will definitely be visiting again and again for picnics, BBQs with friends and playdates.