Wangal Park, Croydon

Cheltenham Road and Royce Avenue (also incorporating Monash Reserve at Monash Parade)

Once a brick pit, Wangal Park has benefited from significant upgrades over the past few years and is now an attractive leisure spot for children and adults alike. This fantastic park, spanning four hectares in total, has excellent facilities for both exercise and entertainment, as well as enticing play equipment catering to children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. The park also incorporates Monash Reserve, at the corner of Monash Parade and Royce Avenue.

We recently visited this park with our two young children, aged two and four years old, who loved exploring the many different features of this expansive park.

The smaller playground within Monash Reserve includes a large rope climbing frame, equipment with two slides, rock climbing, climbing rope walls, a play shop, rocking horse and a small swing set. The surface is a soft rubber with the exception of the woodchips beneath the large rope climbing frame. A shade cloth provides sun protection in this area.

On Tuesdays from 10 am–12 pm, Burwood Council’s Mobile Playvan, an outdoor playgroup for children aged 0–6 years and their parents and carers, is held at Wangal Park, right next to this small playground (Monash Parade). Activities include games, storytelling, art and craft. The cost is a gold coin donation per family. Please note: the Mobile Playvan does not operate during the school holidays, on rainy days or in extreme weather.

The large playground within Wangal Park includes a rope climbing structure, a second climbing structure with ladders, rock climbing features and monkey bars. There is also a spinning wheel and swing set with three swings from which to choose, including an all-abilities swing.

The infant play area features a short slide, seesaw and other interactive elements.

The large playground is protected by shade cloths, and once again the surface is a rubber softfall. Bench seats are scattered around the playground, and sandstone rocks offer additional seating (and also good visibility of your kids within different areas of the playground).

A very popular element is the water pump with a rocky creekbed. It’s ideal on a warm day – do remember to bring sandals or spare socks!

In addition, there are extensive shared paths around the park for scooter or bike riding, walking and running. There’s also a flying fox, balancing beam and skate park.

Various fitness equipment is dotted along the path, and there is a volleyball area and a half basketball court too.

The landscaping is attractive, with extensive native trees and shrubs and wetland ponds. Many of the trees are still quite small, so do be sure to bring hats and suncream when visiting the park.

With a pleasant setting, open grassy space and numerous sheltered tables and barbecues, the park is ideal for family gatherings or children’s birthday parties. The park also has drinking fountains and wheelchair-accessible toilets.