Allsopp Paterson Oval Park, Cambridge Park

Today we visited the park at Allsopp Paterson Oval, which you access off of College Street in Cambridge Park. This is an oldie but a goodie, plenty of options for different children at different stages, sunshade and plenty of space to run around. It appears that council has just put a new footpath around it too, so I have indicated to hubby that we will be returning with the kids bikes.

There is a slide, monkey bars, swings, a small rock climbing wall, pretend cafe, cargo net (made of chains), and rubber soft fall. There are actually a few different types of monkey bars here, and a funny orange circular thing (shown in the picture) that the kids hang onto and it then spins. If you have a bit of a true ninja child then this might be a good park for you.

The bins are often full and overflowing, and there are often magpies picking at the bins. I haven’t had one swoop the kids (yet) but if you or your kids are anxious about magpies, then this is not the park for you.

There is also a great coffee place within walking distance, called Full Dose at the Cambridge Park shops. They close at 1pm or 2pm though, depending on the day, so get in early.

There is allegedly a set of public toilets near here, but I haven’t checked them out myself, I think they are part of the hall on this same block.

 

Armstein Crescent Reserve, Werrington

This is not my favourite park, there is an undercover area to sit but the park is a bit too basic, and the equipment can get quite overheated. I have been there more than once when there was vomit or something else on that ‘softfall’ rubber.

It does have the basics though, a slide, swings, something to climb on, a small rock climbing wall and a pretend cafe. There is plenty of parking and the park is not crowded, because everyone in Werrington goes to Werrington Lakes.

Joanna Park, South Penrith

Joanna Park on Joanna Street in South Penrith is great if you have a child who considers themselves to be a bit of a true ninja, or if they want to play ‘the floor is lava’. There is sun shade and it is set in the middle of a large block or park, surrounded by quiet streets, so this might be a good park if you have a child who is a runner.

This park has swings, balancing options, a pretend cafe, noughts and crosses, cargo net, a ladder, a rock climbing wall, a double slide, a rope monkey bar (or slack monkey bars?) and plenty of places for the adults to sit. Last time that I went there was a broken TV there, the time before it was fine. I don’t know if there is normally trash at this park.

Edna Dunn Reserve, South Penrith

This is a great park, the only thing that lets it down is that it is next to Northern Road (at that point called Parker Street) and so it is no good if you have a child who is a runner. That said, the park itself is set a long way back from Northern Road, it has great sun shade coverage, and a good variety of equipment. To get to it you go to Mazepa Street, South Penrith.

When I took these photos the sun shade had snapped on one side, but it has since been fixed. There is a slide, a cargo net, a rock climbing wall (for small children), circular monkey bars, instead of a pretend cafe this one has a front that looks like a car, swings, and a climbing net shaped like a spider web. There is only one seat for adults to sit at is my biggest complaint about this park. It is easy to park on Mazepa Street and walk to the park. There were actually also a lot of sticks around and trees so if kids want to look for sticks or rocks for craft, or just to play with, there is space for that too.

Judges Park, Penrith

This park is next to the Penrith Bowlo, there is generally a fair amount of parking on the weekend or after school, and since I took these photos they have put a large sunshade over it. This is my favourite park to catch up with a Mum who has older children than mine, I feel like this is the park with the most options for older children. I don’t have older children though, I would love to hear in the comments from Mums who think another park is more suited?

There is a slide, a balancing beam (which is a bridge rather than stationary), a rock climbing wall, a cargo net, one of those ‘spider web’ rope structures, swings, seats for adults, a sun shade, and plenty of metal climbing structures that are physically too big for smaller children.