If you’re local to St Ives, then you would have watched the progress of this brand new playground over the past few months. Well, we have some good news…it’s finally open and has so much to offer kids of all ages! Our reviewer Felicity Frankish went along to check it out.
St Ives Village Green saw a new skate park at the beginning of 2022 and now they have finished it off with an incredible adventure playground that is suited to all ages. I took my three kids, Cassie (7), Vivi (5) and Elliot (3) to check it out on opening day. Here’s what we found.
Getting to St Ives Village Green
One of the biggest perks of this park is location, location, location. It’s right next to the St Ives Shopping Village, so you can duck in for a few groceries before heading across the road to play. There’s plenty of parking around, although it does get busy at different times, especially when there’s sport on the greens. There’s lots of outdoor spots, but when they fill up, you can head to the underground parking which is free for the first three hours (plenty of time for the kids to play!).
Climbing Tower
Giant twirly slide was a huge drawcard
Let’s start with the feature of the park – the giant climbing tower! My kids spotted this from the car driving in and beelined straight for it once we arrived.
They had a blast climbing their way up. While steep, it was easy enough for Cassie (7) and Vivi (5) to manage. Unexpectedly, they didn’t even hesitate at the top, they jumped in the slide and off they went.
Elliot climbing the smaller slide
There’s a second, smaller slide out the front of it, with metal bars on the other side (for sliding down). The girls spent most of their time in this section.
Toddler Area
Climbing in the toddler area
Head further into the playground, and you’ll find plenty of fun for the littlies as well. There’s a wooden playset in the middle with rope climbing and nets and a slide to go down. This was perfect for Elliot (3).
Saying hi at the top
Down the slide
There’s also one of the spinning roundabouts next to this, which older and younger kids were all having a blast on (just at different speeds!). You will also find a bouncy seesaw, cup to spin around in and a big caterpillar to climb!
Elliot in the spinning cup with the seesaw on the other side
Venture to the middle and you will find yet another slide – but a very different design this time! It was great for all three of my kids (and they flew off at the end).
Climbing up
Down he flies!
Swings Galore
You’re spoilt for choice with the swing set in the middle of the park, with chair swing, toddler swing and normal seats as well.
So many swings to choose from
My kids just love swings. What they had never seen before was the big net swing off to one side. We went over and waited our turn (it’s popular) and on they hopped. That was that, they didn’t want to get off! It’s a rotating net swing that goes in all directions, which they found amazing! They did need a bit of a push to get started, but then they were off on their own.
The girls couldn’t get enough of this one
Monkey Bars
Cass helping Vivi on the Monkey Bars
The monkey bars were a huge hit for all three kids. They all had a go and at any given time there were kids hanging off it in all directions. You don’t often see these at parks, so it’s such a great addition to encourage some risky play!
Nature Play and Shade
Elliot climbing on the logs
There’s also plenty around the park for kids to explore. Elliot had a great time climbing onto the logs sticking out of the ground and making his way around the gardens beyond as well.
There is also plenty of shade cloths hanging over the equipment at the park and shaded seating areas where you can sit and watch the kids.
Shaded seating area
If all that isn’t enough, bigger kids can head next door to the (relatively) new skate park!
Skate Park next door
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Essential Details: St Ives Village Green Playground
- Where: St Ives Village Green
- Parking: Up to 3-hours free parking in the St Ives Village carpark (number plate recognition)
- Toilets: Yes
- Sunshade: Yes, sunshades across the park and covered seated areas
- Enclosed: Yes
- Seats: Benches
- Nearby Refreshments: Plenty of options at St Ives Shopping Village
BEST THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND
