To be an “ultimate playground”, a space has to met a strict criteria of mummy many must-haves…nearby coffee being a top one for tired mums! Fenced areas for little ones, top-of-the-line equipment, shaded areas and accessible toilets are all big ticks for us too. Here are the parks on the North Shore that come as close possible to the perfect park and playground!
Some of the features we favoured:
- Great play equipment for kids of all ages ages
- Fenced areas to keep runners enclosed
- On-site toilets
- Nearby coffee!
- BBQs and picnic tables
- Bubblers
- Shaded areas (trees or shade-cloth)
- Easy to access (street parking, car park, train line or near a bus stop)
- Pets allowed
1. Mosman War Memorial Children’s Playground
Cnr Gouldsbury Street & The Crescent, Mosman
This gorgeous spot is right in the heart of bustling Mosman, so coffee and lunch are just a stone’s throw away. The park itself is divided into areas for big kids and little kids (with the junior area fenced off to stop those little runners dashing off!). There are toilets on the Allan Border Oval open from 7am-7pm, and there’s easy street parking. It’s a generous space with upgraded equipment and bike tracks inside the play area, plus picnic tables and shade. Ticks a lot of the boxes!
2. Bicentennial Park
Lofberg Road, West Pymble
If you want a green and sprawling pace to run wild, this playground has a lot going for it! There’s a fenced space for younger kids with sandpit, swings and climbing frame, while the older kids can take on a huge climbing wall and the swinging see saw. There’s electric BBQs and undercover picnic tables, and while no structured shaded areas, the leafy trees provide plenty of cover. Pets are allowed, there’s car parking and an on-site toilet block. For coffee, the West Pymble shops are only two minutes drive away, and it’s only five minutes’ drive from Dragonfly Café (at Eden Garden Centre, Lane Cove Road, North Ryde).
3. Willoughby Park Playground
McClelland Street, Willoughby
This playground offers a fenced area, but beyond that there’s a lot to keep the big kids occupied as well. There’s a bike track, a huge “spider” climbing frame, BBQs and tables, plus an oval (with a toilet block), and a dog park for your fur baby. It’s easy to find street parking, or access via the local bus which stops right near by- just 25m away on McClelland Street to be exact! While there’s no shade from a shade-cloth, it’s not necessary as there are so many large trees. The closest coffee is on High Street. The real drawcard is the huge space for kids to run around (and not feel cramped even in a crowd!) and the amazing array of equipment – a large tunnel to explore, sandpit, slides, swings and “musical instruments”!
4. Wahroonga Park
Corner Coonanbarra Road & Stuart Street, Wahroonga
Mums on the Upper North Shore know that Wahroonga Park ticks all the boxes. The flowered shrubs and rolling lawns are gorgeous enough to be the setting for wedding photos and family portraits, but there’s so many good points besides how beautiful it is! Wahroonga Park is right on the train line but also easy to get to for those who drive, with ample free street parking (3 hour limit). There’s a brand new enclosed playground for littlies to run around, with plenty equipment to play on, and a shadecloth overhead to protect from the sun. There’s also play equipment outside the fenced area for big kids (think swings!) plus fountains and a new toilet block and a shaded gazebo. The closest coffee is right across the road at Cafe Patina, and there’s also Wahroonga Village just a few minutes away with plenty of lunch and shopping options.
5. St Leonards Park
Miller Street, North Sydney
The facilities are fabulous thanks to North Sydney Oval (which has changing rooms and toilets etc), plus the Bon Andrews Oval which has netball courts and cricket nets and cricket wicket. But there’s also retail outlets for anything you might need! The park itself has public toilets, shelters, lights, seats, picnic tables, barbecues, a bubbler, and paved paths, and dogs are welcome (although not allowed on North Sydney Oval). The playground is enclosed and has loads of activities and equipment including snakes and ladders, swings, a roundabout and more. Jagos on Miller is your closest coffee option (232 Miller Street), and adjacent from the park. It’s also right next to The Greens, which is a popular family-friendly dining option.
