My toddler is the kind of kid that loves being outdoors and so every morning, weather permitting, we head out to a park to burn off some energy and enjoy the day, writes NSM Elizabeth Latham.
Our favourite park to visit is the one on Cullen Street in Lane Cove West – aptly named Cullen Street Playground. We both have different reasons for why we love it so much, but I can take my son to this park every day and he never gets bored!
I like this park because it’s clean, fully fenced, has plenty of shade and coffee is nearby; he loves it because there is a plethora of plants to explore and a variety of things to climb on and play with.
Usually when we drop by on a weekday there is only one or two other families there, however after school and on weekends it can get really busy.
The playground
Cullen Street Playground is fully fenced, which means my toddler can’t escape (particularly important when you have more than one child to look after), and has lots of greenery and enough play equipment to satisfy toddlers and young children alike. I’ve also seen the odd pre-teen group hanging out on the swings.
Additionally, the ground is covered in that rubber stuff, which is great because my son isn’t able to dig up the ground and get filthy like he does when the ground is covered in that bark mulch.
There is a set of toddler swings as well as a set of regular swings, two wobble seats, a junior toddler slide, a rope climbing structure and a fort with a large slide, rope wall, ladder and fireman’s pole.
Surrounded by shrubs and trees it is the perfect setting for a game of hide-and-seek. There is also a grassed area inside the fenced section, which is ideal for kicking a ball around or putting down a picnic rug for lunch.
The parking
There is plenty of free street parking available on Cullen Street and there is a parking lot behind the nearby Figtree Plaza.
The facilities
There are toilets available behind the Figtree Plaza, just a quick five-minute walk from the playground. Here, you’ll also find two cafes to grab a coffee, drink or lunch to take over to the park. Also, if you need to grab any groceries before heading home there is a greengrocer, butcher and bakery.
Inside the fenced area of the park there are two large square benches that make great spots to sit and have a coffee while your child has a ball in the park. And outside the fenced area of the park there is a picnic table and another large grassed area where older kids can kick a ball around.
In conclusion, this park ticks all the boxes for me: it’s fully fenced, it’s shaded, there is enough play equipment to choose from that you rarely see two kids fighting to play on a swing or slide, toddlers and older kids are catered for, there is coffee and toilets nearby AND, most importantly, my son has a blast every time we visit.
Have you been to the Cullen Street Playground. Tell us why you like it in the comments section below.
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