Hansen Reserve Playground, Roberts Street, Footscray West
The playground has had a fantastic upgrade. The old playground near the carpark remains (update - this has now been removed) and a great new playground area plus a junior bike track has been added.
The new section is impressive with a tall, round tower which leads to a big metal tunnel slide. There are heaps of ways to get to the start of the slide. The simplest is to go up the ladder and then climb up three levels inside the tower. The tall tower is connected to a shorter tower by a high rope tunnel. To get to the smaller tower you can cross steppers and then walk up a plank, use a wooden log with notches cut in it, use a rope ladder or cross a thick rope bridge. This playground is not suited to indecisive kids.
There's also a big sandpit with sand play table and digger, water tap which releases water into another sandpit, birds nest swing, four standard swings, lots of log steppers, big sloping rope climbing net, two in-ground trampolines, metal indigenous fishing net climbing frame, digger springer, spinning circle on a pole to spin around on your arms and climbing area with scrambling wall, fireman's pole, short metal slide and rope ladder.
On one side is a shelter with two tables and BBQs. Between the bike track and the playground is another shelter with tables, BBQs plus water tap. Big grassy areas surround the playground. There are toilets near the car park.
The older section has two wooden structures - the smaller is under shade sails and has a snake which winds through the area. This structure has two slides of different heights, walkway, shop front, steps, distorting mirror, curved ladder and steering wheel.
The bigger has a large wave slide, dual slides (in poor condition), big sloping rigid framed ladder, hanging ladder, spiral ladder, telescope, dual steering wheels, steps, chain ladder, shop front, abacus, flying fox and various clangers for making noise. Also swings.
The reserve has a junior bike track. The track has a series of bumps, humps, ramps and a roundabout. The track is suited to younger riders with the track being flat and obstacles not being very high.
The playground and bike track are located in the south west corner of the reserve. Part of the reserve is a dog off leash area.
Photos:
Location
37 Roberts Street, Footscray West 3012 Map
