Playground upgrades in ACT Budget

The list of parks to be upgraded is in the Budget:

Eddison Park, John Knight District Park, Point Hut Pond District Park, Fadden Pines, Lennox Gardens, Glebe Park, Gowrie, Kambah District Park, Yerrabi Pond District Park, Bruce, Florey, Kaleen, Lyneham, Oaks Estate, Wanniassa, Gilmore and Chifley.

PS There used to be a pretty cool park with a rocket thing at Isaacs.

I used to like Weston Park. But what’s down there these days. Vandalism has seen a lot of the free standing structures destroyed or removed. And there’s only so many times one can go in the maze and on the train.

And I’m surprised no one has mentioned the Lanyon Adventure Playground and foreshore. Great equipment and BBQ area. The wildlife are friendly and entertaining. Or Fadden Pines. Just watch for trip wires.

Hargreaves is probably planning a ‘drink and drive’ merry-go-round, and a greasy ‘Al Grassby’ slide with obligatory concrete feet at the bottom.

I’ve always referred to the one at Ginninderra Creek as “The Rocket Park”. I remember when it had the giant slide too!

I like Weston Park in Yarralumla – there’s ducks, sculptures to climb, water play area near the covered BBQ’s in the cafe/train area, as well as the usual swings etc.

Nara Grove/Black Mountain Peninsula has an amazing variety of playground equipment – some covered. Only problem is I look stupid climbing into it to drag a kicking/screaming toddler out when it’s time to go home.

The park on Throssell Street in Curtin has a little climbing wall for toddlers.

Corroboree Park in Ainslie has a cricket pitch, basketball court, play equipment, tennis club (fees payable), community hall, BBQs, and the grass gets watered even during drought due to the heritage listed gumtrees (planted in 1925).

So where are the best playgrounds around Canberra?

My personal favourites are John Knight Park, Western Foreshores at Lake Ginninderra, and the mushroom at Belconnen Markets.

A flying fox at John Knight Park, very cool indeed.

About time i think.
While many of the parks remain good, the footpaaths and bike paths are awful. Very hard for small kids on bikes, and older folk with wheelchairs.

As the parent of a toddler/small-terrorist and a baby/soon-to-be-toddler, I would be keen to know too. Also I am a big fan of the parks with the pool fencing around them – helps keep the kids in and the stray dogs & kiddie fiddlers out.