Caulfield Park

Caulfield Park has something for everyone. There are open grasslands, ponds with resident ducks and geese, many sports ovals, a cricket ground, conservatory, croquet and bowls, tennis and even an aviary.

Until recently there were three playgrounds, but the train playground at the Park Road side has been removed. However, children of all ages are well catered for with the remaining two playgrounds.

The Inkerman Road Playground is most impressive. It is truly accessible to children of all abilities and ages: a track leads from the road right to a path that sweeps up a rubber turf 'hill' to the top decking and then around and down the other side. There are numerous panels to play at such as sliding beads, 'squeeze' bars, and shop fronts and several different types of bar climbers including some interesting pommel pole climbers.

We rather liked the little pommel stepping stones that double as stools for parents and also liked the little bird lookout tower that looks as if it was retained from the previous playground. Giant sails offer great sun protection for a large portion of the playground.

Across the park towards Balaclava Road is another playground that is clearly aimed at pre-schoolers. It has a four-way horse teeter-totter and a wonderful old-style metal slide where we witnessed great cooperation between all the children eager to take turns. There is also a standard small play unit and several spring riders plus some swings.

My only criticism of this park is that the public toilets are too far away from the playgrounds for little children to get to in time. There are a couple of different toilet blocks in Caulfield Park, but the nearby trees are rather more attractive for the littlies.