Phoenix Park Adventure Playground, Malvern East

This is an old-school adventure playground at its finest. Phoenix Park Adventure Playground in Malvern East is fantastic by itself, but they’ve really gilded the lily here with a great cafe and cute library to boot!

Do you know why this playground has proven popular with kids time and time again? Because it was actually designed by school aged children back in the 90s. And the strong community vibes that continue to emanate from this space? They can be attributed to the 600 local volunteers who worked hard to bring those students’ vision to life!

The presence of all those who contributed to the playground’s construction can still be felt today with the vibrant childrens’ artworks dotted around the space as well as the names of the families involved, etched into the palings that form the playgrounds fence.

And though the playground is fully fenced, its grand wooden entryway does not include a gate. The main play structure within the playground is the colossal fortress which is not only something the kids can run, climb and hide on but is also the perfect place to vanquish dragons, rescue prisoners or steal treasure from.

In fact, the whole playground invites both imaginative and risky play. With plenty of walls to scale, beams to balance on, rope nets to wrangle and platforms to jump from - it’s best the grown ups grab a coffee from the onsite cafe and settle in, because you’re going to be here for a while. The fun certainly doesn’t stop there though. Mamma counted TEN swings, a couple of slides, multiple monkey bars, a flying fox and a sandpit filled with donated dump trucks and tractors!

And when the kids finally want a change of scenery, families can explore the rest of the civic space which includes plenty grass to run around, an outdoor gym, skate park, library, cafe and community centre.