A.B. Shaw Reserve Playground, Hall Avenue, Altona Meadows
A nice play space with a range of elements including a big birds nest swing, flying fox with two lines (one with a disk seat and the other with a harness seat), court with basketball and netball rings, little cubby, stand-on carousel for (at least) four kids, swings, stand-on spinner and a wooden pier with boat form which has steering wheels and binoculars. Use those binoculars to search for schools of fish since there is a fishing line and some cute scales to weigh your fish on the pier.
The main play area also has a structure with a wave slide and fireman's pole reached by a steep rope bridge, another wave slide reached by steps and disks on a vertical pole, steering wheel, shop front, clock panel and monkey rungs. Some rocky steps lead up to an impressive wooden seat where the king of the playground can look over his impressive kingdom.
The central part of the playground also has some garden beds. Amongst the trees on the side of the playground is a path over a bridge which leads to a stepping path of rocks and logs. A water pump can be used to pump water into a curved concrete trough which leads under the bridge to a rocky creek bed. The trough was originally laid with lovely sparkling marble gems but they have been damaged and are now quite sharp. If you look hard it is possible to find an elusive platypus in the trees.
There is a shelter with two tables, unshaded BBQs and water tap. Toilets were being built when we visited. The playground has some lovely pelican sculptures at the entrances and on the shelter roof. Unfortunately the playground has a few broken items such as a missing reel on the fishing rod, broken water pump and damaged water trough.
Photos:
Location
51 Hall Avenue, Altona Meadows 3028 Map
Web Links
→ 100 Free Water Play Spaces in Melbourne and Regional Victoria
