Playground Official Opening: Join the family fun this Sunday 8th February 11am-1pm for families to drop in and explore the new space, enjoy ice-cream, coffee and entertainment.

The long-awaited redevelopment of St Morris Reserve is now complete, and at its heart lies a vibrant new playground that’s already becoming a favourite spot for families across the eastern suburbs. Part of a major upgrade delivered by the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, this project has transformed the reserve into a modern community destination supporting play, leisure and connection.

The new playground replaces aging equipment with contemporary, multi-age play options designed to engage toddlers through older kids. Safe, sun-smart experiences are supported by generous shade sails and accessible surfaces, while seating, park furniture and improved pathways cater to families making a day of it.

Beyond the playground, new amenities enrich the reserve for everyone. A dedicated picnic shelter and BBQ facilities make it easy to gather with friends or enjoy a weekend lunch outdoors, while toilet facilities and accessible paved connections improve convenience for all visitors. We love how this is fully fenced, shaded and play elements that cater for all ages, which you don’t often find.

For active recreation, the upgrade introduced a multi-purpose court and a dedicated hit wall — perfect for basketball, ball games or simply enjoying physical activity in the fresh air. Extensive landscaping and irrigation have refreshed the park’s look with new trees, shrubs and open lawn areas, creating a greener, cooler space that enhances the local neighbourhood.

This redevelopment isn’t just about recreation — it’s part of a larger stormwater resilience project. The reserve now includes a purpose-built detention basin that helps manage heavy rainfall and reduce flooding risk in St Morris and surrounding suburbs. When not in use for stormwater, this basin remains a grassy, open area contributing to the park’s overall ambiance.

Mannum is one of SA’s most beautiful towns, located on the River Murray about an hour or so from the city (Great footy team too…Go the mighty Roos!) and home to most of the gorgeous houseboats you see floating along the Murray. Such a magnificent spot for a day trip or a base for a family holiday on the Murray.

Recently, they have upgraded a fabulous little playground (fully fenced too I might add) right in the heart of town on the banks of the river. Mary Ann Reserve has been transformed into a modern playground suitable for toddlers right up to the 10yo crowd, with the highlight being a houseboat inspired playground with slides, climbing nets and cubby houses. You will also find a range of swings and other small bits and pieces to keep the kids entertained, while you can just sit back and soak in the view……which is just unreal. Kind of hurts typing about it and not being there to be honest.

We highly recommend the Pretoria for a good family feed, but the playground has toilets, bench seats, plenty of grass (outside the fenced area though) and plenty of shade from the huge river gums and a lovely undercover area.

Upgraded in August 2025, this brand new playground at McGilp Reserve in beautiful One Tree Hill is ready for fun!

Set in a stunning location and surrounded by loads of sporting action — including a full-sized oval, soccer pitch, tennis courts and cricket nets — this modern playground has something for every age and stage.

Kids will love the huge climbing tower, exciting pump track, and plenty of space to run and explore, while parents will appreciate the new shaded areas, easy pathways, drink fountains, and the fact that it’s fully fenced for peace of mind.

Whether you’re stopping by after school, planning a weekend adventure, or just need somewhere fun to stretch your legs, McGilp Reserve is the perfect spot for the whole family to enjoy!

Playground Features include:

• BBQ
• Rockers
• climbing nets and towers
• Small and large slides
• Swings
• Monkey Bars
• Pump Track

Thank you to City of Playford Council for the images

Better known as Helicopter Park to many, Glover North Playground is located on Lefevre Terrace in North 91������ý. With a large helicopter as its centrepiece, smaller kids can slide out of the chopper’s belly as one of the many pint-sized highlights located at this much loved playground. There are also plenty of swings, see-saws, climbing frames and sand play equipment including the popular diggers in the huge sandpit.

Much of the playground’s fun is best suited to younger kids aged 1-5 years, however older kids will also enjoy the larger climbing frames, rope bridge and forts. Most of the equipment has softfall rubber matting or barkchips to break any falls. There is a range of equipment that isn’t common elsewhere with Heaps of things to climb on, slide down, walk across and more.

One of the best fenced playgrounds near the CBD, Helicopter Park has shaded, grassy picnic spots, drink fountain, toilets and BBQ facilities. Keep in mind that most of the play equipment is not shaded. There are also horses agisted in the nearby parklands which the kids love – take care though as patting and feeding is not recommended.

There is also a super cute Little Free Library where you can ‘bring a book, take a book’ so be sure to bring one along with you next time you visit.

Another fully fenced park in the city, this South Terrace playground is located near the Unley/Pulteney Road intersection of the Parklands.

Well equipped and better suited for slightly older kids than the one a few blocks West, this playground includes a good sized, seated flying fox, numerous toddler and regular swings, slides for all ages and spring rockers. It also has a sizable climbing net for older kids, a rock climbing wall, sandpits and importantly, is home to one of the few wheelchair friendly ‘liberty swings’, which we love.

Other features include toilets, tables, water fountain and covered areas. Most of the play equipment is not fully shaded. Outside the large, fenced playground there are numerous playing fields and a basketball court.

Looking for some green space and a playground in Norwood to take a break and entertain the little ones? James Coke Park is a great destination. Tucked behind Norwood Mall with easy parking, it’s safe, shady and fun for all.

James Coke Park Playground is a simply gorgeous green space guaranteed to please the whole family. The park is a safe, fully fenced and shaded space tucked in behind Norwood Mall – the perfect spot for a picnic.

There’s something for all younger ages at James Coke Park, with play equipment and space suitable for crawlers and toddlers right up to school aged kids (best suits 1-7). Playground facilities include a double see-saw/rocker, drums and music making equipment, swings (including toddler size), climbing apparatus and slides. All equipment is on rubber matting for soft falls.

Within the fenced area there’s also plenty of room for imaginary play, with lawn space, garden beds and park benches, plus picnic tables undercover. If you’re happy to sit outside the fenced area, there are more park benches and lush lawn, with summer shade from date palms. The playground’s location behind Norwood Mall is ideal. There’s plenty of easy parking and the Mall is conveniently close for toilet breaks or for additional snacks, ice cream, treats or a much deserved cup of coffee.

Disability advocate, writer and actor Quentin Kenihan has been memorialised with an inclusive playground in 91������ý’s Rymill Park. The $1m play space includes sensory elements, waterplay and features that encourage shared play and is designed with children and parents with wheelchairs in mind.

This fully fenced playground is thoughtfully designed and a place where children of all abilities can meet, explore and play together. Thanks to its mix of sensory and accessible equipment and welcoming layout, it beautifully embodies Quentin’s vision: a space where no one is left out. Whether kids like water games, sensory discovery, climbing, swinging this plays pace delivers.

It was always a goal of Quentin’s to have an inclusive playspace in 91������ý to cater for all kids and this playground is a testament to his legacy. His family and friends were even consulted in the design process, as well as other disability support groups, to make sure everybody could have fun here.

From toddlers to teenagers, the playground offers a wide range of age-appropriate challenges and free-play options, encouraging active and imaginative play for everyone. Accessibility is at the heart of the space, with wheelchair-friendly equipment, wide ramps, and smooth paths ensuring children with mobility challenges can fully engage in the fun. The play space also promotes shared sensory and interactive experiences, encouraging children of all abilities to play and explore together.

There’s shade over part of the playground as well as lots of big shady trees to get out of the sun if needed. There’s lots of lush green grass to run on, sit on and picnic on plus sheltered seating and BBQ facilities too!

Inclusive Features

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the features that make this playspace welcoming to all:

• Wheelchair‑accessible trampoline – flat-surface trampoline safe for users with mobility devices
• Accessible swing & “sway fun” seat – swinging elements designed for shared use by children with and without disabilities
• Spinning carousel – inclusive design to allow wheelchair access
• Rope climbing structure – a favourite for older kids, with soft-fall bark and rubber surfaces
• Water play area – with pumps, troughs and weirs that are reachable from seated and standing positions
• Sound & sensory garden – full of musical instruments (chimes, xylophone, drums) for multi-sensory engagement
• Interactive buttons – easy‑press controls to activate water features, even at wheelchair height
• Smooth, wide pathways – barrier‑free circulation throughout the site
• Shade coverage & soft surfacing – with rubber matting and bark chips designed to cushion falls and help with mobility

Also bring the bikes and scooters for a few laps on the Superloop challenge track – an extended pathway for bikes, scooters and wheelchairs.

There is a  located within the play space that is designed to be a safe and inclusive place for all, including those with wheelchairs or walking frames, and severely disabled people requiring the assistance of an attendant and there are 3 additional public toilets open at all times, with access to the Changing Places cubicle available using a .

There are 4 accessible car parks on Rundle Road located about 100m from the playspace, and another 2 accessible car parks next to the 91������ý Bowling Club about 50m from the playspace.

Things to know

• There is a pond close to the playground so please keep your eyes on your kids in case they wander off, and please don’t feed the ducks it’s not good for them.
• It’s right next to Gluttony so if you visit during Fringe you can pop out the back gate for a play pre/post Fringe show.

This quaint little neighbourhood playground is nestled in the quiet suburb of Leabrook and the was upgraded in 2024.

Fully fenced and whilst there is no shade provided, the playground is situated under some beautiful big old gum trees that do provide some protection from the sun. There are also a few smaller trees around the edge off the grassed area that provide small amounts of shade for those wanting a small picnic space .

This park is more suitable for toddlers.

Unfortunately no toilets or BBQ facilities are located in this park.

Thanks for City of Burnside of the images.

Besides the fact that this playground has lots to do for the kids, after an upgrade in 2025 the a BIGGEST BONUS of this Robe playground is that it’s situated right behind Mahalia coffee factory coffee shop. Come for breakfast, lunch or just a coffee and you can sit outside on the deck whilst the kids sneak through the gate and enjoy this play space. Whilst not the most attractive play space we have seen the playground caters for all abilities and ages so has something for everyone to enjoy.

For the active or adventurous the the playground has lots of different types of climbing and balancing pieces. Rope climb, There is also lots of areas to explore and roam free or play some basketball.

The playground is fully fenced and has picnic facilities. Unfortunately it has no shade. Located right behind the Mahalia coffee shop for food and drinks if needed. BONUS you can use the back gate that takes you inside from the playground.

This fab little playground had several upgrades through 2024 and 2025. This place is a fantastic local facility, with a shaded modern playground full of unique climbing areas for the kids to explore. The whole playground is shaded by sails in fact, with a number of play areas with a range of equipment to suit most ages.

Throw in a fantastic oval, basketball court, pump track and tennis court facilities, and this precinct becomes a one stop shop for a fab arvo for the locals. Plenty of off street parking, BBQ facilities, toilets and water fountains round off a nice little spot.

Thanks to Surface Contractors Australia for the images of the courts.