Coronation Park, Kiama

Coronation Park
(At Surf Beach)
Manning Street
Kiama

Age Groups: All ages but more suited to preschoolers to school aged children
Parking: On street parking which would be at a premium on weekends and school holidays
Cleanliness: Very clean and park old but in reasonable condition
Shade/Seating: A few benchseats but not close to park. Lots of picnic tables with cover a distance from park
Garbage Bins: Yes
BBQs: Yes but again would be at premium on weekends and public holidays
Toilets: None visible but likely to be at surfclub with beach showers

Review:

This is an old favourite for most people. A lovely grassy knoll with shady trees and picnic tables that lead onto white sand and a surfclub. Kiama Council do a great job at keeping it clean and tidy and it is generally quite busy. Its a little aged but in general good condition.

Always looking for ideas and location to
Come Out and Play....

Integral Energy Park

Integral Energy Park

Darkes Road,

West Dapto

Age Groups: All ages but more suited to preschoolers to school aged children

Parking: Heaps and Nearby

Cleanliness: Very clean and in great condition

Shade/Seating: Lots of seating away from the park and undercover

Garbage Bins: Yes

BBQs: To be honest I am not sure. However there is a kitchen which is available for hire from Wollongong City Council so I would think that BBQs are likely

Fences: No not really but there isn't anywhere to run either as it is quite a distance from the entrance on Darkes Road.

Review:

I hadn't heard of this having play equipment until it was mentioned by one of my facebook followers. Finding information on its location wasn't all that easy either. So when the sun came out we decided to take out our housebound preschooler before he started climbing the walls. The entrance is on Darkes Rd and the park is down a long driveway past the Car Museum. At the end of the driveway was this great suprise! This would have to be one of the cleanest parks in the Illawarra. I don't think I seen any graffiti anywhere, probably because of its secluded nature (so I hope blogging about it doesn't ruin this haha) My son had a field day and it was quiet. I loved the fact there were toilets on site, this is pretty important factor to a lot of the parks we visit as there is nothing worse than having to go home to use the bathroom fifteen minutes after arriving! Unfortunately on the day we went it had been raining and it was only a break in the weather. I this will become another of our firm favourites !

Currently looking for another location to
Come Out and Play....

Winter has arrived!

Hasn't the weather been awful?! With all the rain nobody here has wanted to go out as often particularly as flu season is starting. The other day we were out and seen a double rainbow

My son declared it must be ok to play now and we decided to go in search of Integral Energy Park in Dapto that a follower on facebook recommended... so on the hunt we went!

Belmore Basin Kids Playground

Belmore Basin Playground

Lions Park

Cliff Road, Wollongong Harbour

Age Groups: Most ages. Although on the day I was there it was under 5's.

Parking: Nearby and but at a premium, particularly on weekends

Cleanliness: Generally good, although still fairly new park

Shade/ Seating: No shade and limited bench seats. Lots of picnic tables and a few restaurants nearby

Garbage Bins: Yes

BBQs: No but LeVendi's cafe is only short distance.

Fences: None.



Review:

I love modern parks! I always applaud councils and community groups for making the effort to provide these for our kids. This park is no exception, being recently renovated and modernised. Its a fairly popular park particularly on weekends due to its location at the ever popular Belmore Basin area. Lighthouse only a short stroll, Wollongong Fishmarkets not far as well as Wollongong Beach. I am not sure how popular a park it will be with my son as he gets older though. Seems mostly designed for younger children and wouldn't think it could be classified as an all abilities playground. However it was popular with Mums. Quite a few were there the day we visited, probably due to the cafe nearby where they could grab a coffee. The water is only meters from the playground and would be a bonus to some as there is no waves or long walks through the dunes to get there. However, as I said above parking would be at a premium. All up a nice park with the added bonus of having toilets close but not a firm favourite for me.

The parking issues is a turn off in my books.

King George V Playground Port Kembla NSW

King George V Playground Port Kembla

Corner of Cowper St & Olympic Blvd, Port Kembla
(Opposite entrance to public swimming pool)

Age Groups: Most ages. Kids on the day varied from barely walking to eight yrs.

Parking: Nearby and plenty

Cleanliness: Generally good, although still fairly new park
Shade/ Seating: No shade and limited bench seats. Most people seemed to bring own

Garbage Bins: Yes, one

BBQs: No

Fences: Not really. Good distance from roads with some fencing.

Comments
Lots to do for the kids with a good range of age groups actively using the playground. Nice and protected from the wind which you often find in Port Kembla as nestled beside a hill. Locals tell me the playground is still only a couple of months old which would contribute to its cleanliness factor. Shame about the limited seating and lack of undercover seating but plenty of room if wanted to bring own chairs or sun protection. Was a bit concerning when a stray ball from the soccer match going on next to the park hit a child. Seemed to reasonably hurt the child and was quite hard (as you could imagine). Nice to see something like this in Port Kembla and great with the lovely location (walking distance from both beach and swimming pool, cafe not far).


Family verdict- Its always a good sign when your toddler doesn't want to go home right?

Currently looking for another location to

Come Out and Play....

Boys and Girls Come Out to Play

Boys and girls come out to play,

The moon does shine as bright as day;

Come with a hoop, and come with a call,

Come with a good will or not at all.

Loose your supper, and loose your sleep,

Come to your playfellows in the street;

Up the ladder and down the wall.

A halfpenny loaf will serve us all.

But when the loaf is gone, what will you do?

Those who would eat must work - 'tis true.

Traditional Children's Nursery Rhyme

Looking for ideas of what can keep my very busy three year old interested and challenged is something I find myself doing constantly. Whilst we are really blessed here in the Illawarra with what is available. However, too often the information that can be found on the net can be a little vague, hard to find or simply out of date.

So my challenge to myself (...and well to anyone out here who may be reading this) is to get out there with my tiddly wink in tow and get active! Whilst I am out there I will review and photograph the parks and playgrounds we visit.

Hopefully this will then encourage or inspire other parents and carers to

Come Out and Play....