After the six long weeks that playgrounds were closed, we couldn’t wait to get out to and see one that the Sutherland Shire Council unveiled during lockdown.
I’d been a bit nervous that everyone else might have had the same idea but they were either put off by the cloudy conditions or maybe they were all hanging out at the Shire’s other newest playground in Kurnell- which is next on our list to review! Whatever the case, we spent an hour and a half at Bonnet Bay’s revamped playground and only shared it briefly with one other family who was there when we arrived.
If you’re unfamiliar with the area, the playground I’m referring to is Koolangarra Reserve, the one conveniently located beside the small group of shops off Kennedy Crescent. This includes Flying Swallow cafe, Wolfpack woodfire pizza, a small supermarket and a bottleshop, so it’s supremely handy if you’re a fan of doing as much as possible in one trip, and enjoying a coffee while the kids play.
Parking is right outside the shops and the path up to the playground is just long enough so that there’s no real danger of the kids running out on to the road in any direction, however, the area is not fenced.
The old-school swings have been removed and there is no baby swing or traditional swings anymore. Instead, they’ve installed a round hanging swing that can be pushed or spun, which my five-year-old thought was “so cool.”
Your kids can make music with the large playable chimes and drums or use the coloured pipes to talk to each other from across the playground.
The main play equipment structure features a small and large slide, climbing poles and net and monkey bars, most of which my three and five-year-old were able to use.
The set up also encourages role-play through the “shop” window and car dashboard and my kids got plenty of entertainment value out of those too.
Kids can also walk the perimeter of the playground and jump across the logs adjacent to the playground.
There’s one picnic table and chairs, which we made use of to have a picnic lunch before getting icecreams from the “Friendly Grocer” and a water station that can be used to wash those sticky hands afterwards, or you know, fill up water bottles.
For those under three, there’s not a lot on offer but there’s plenty of fun to be had for kids aged 3-10.
Still searching for a playground? Check out more playground reviews.
