Family fun
Best hidden playgrounds of Ipswich
Ipswich is blessed with some fabulous playgrounds such as Robelle Domain, Queens Park and River Heart Parklands but it pays to take a drive to discover some lesser-known spots you never knew existed. Being a busy parent means you sometimes just want to escape the people and enjoy quieter surrounds. I’m happy to say that some of the parks I’m about to share with you are where you’ll definitely find a laid-back atmosphere, you may even find that you’re the only one there!
Shapcott Park, Coalfalls
I stumbled upon this little gem while driving around my local neighbourhood. It has a great covered playground with a rock climbing ball, net swing, a spring rocker, spinning wheel, slides and climbing rope. There’s a covered picnic table area and a large grassed area, perfect for the kids to run around or kick a ball. Even better, if you like canoeing, the park connects to a canoe launch area on the Bremer River. This park is situated at the back of a quiet residential area and is surrounded by the river and trees; it’s very peaceful.
Shapcott Park, 118/116 Gladstone Road, Coalfalls
Reals Park, Sadliers Crossing
Just across from Blair State School, this park is the perfect after-school stop for anyone in the inner city area. The playground is suitable for toddlers through to primary school children with a slide, swings and seesaw and is nicely covered with large trees and shade sails. There are covered picnic tables and a barbecue. This is also the perfect park for a weekend family cricket match; have a BBQ and play cricket on the park’s very well kept cricket pitch.
Reals Park, 6A Cribb Street, Sadliers Crossing
Lobley Park, Churchill
If you’re not a local, you may not know this unique park exists. Aeroplane fans love this park, the perfect place for them to live their pilot dream! There’s a huge cargo plane to play in, complete with a detailed cockpit, there are parachute swings, a rope climbing wall and an airport control tower. I’ve had my handbag put through the x-ray machine plenty of times, too! This park is nicely shaded and has covered picnic tables, barbecues and public toilets.
Lobley Park, 243a Warwick Road, Churchill
Haig Street Quarry Bushland Reserve, Brassall
Hidden away at the back of Brassall is the Haig Street Quarry Bushland Reserve; it’s one of those places I mentioned where you’ll feel like you’re the only one there.
Surrounded by beautiful bushland, this former quarry has been transformed into a peaceful sanctuary. Enjoy walking through the trees or watching the birds play on the quarry pond, you won’t believe this place is so close to the city!
As you weave through the reserve, you’ll find picnic areas scattered throughout, most with a barbecue. There are also public toilets, children’s play equipment and green spaces for the kids to run around. While you’re here, don’t forget to check out the Tom Craik Lookout area at the top of the reserve, it’s here you can enjoy beautiful views over the Scenic Rim while enjoying a takeaway coffee.
Haig Street Quarry Bush Reserve, Haig Street, Brassall
Battye Park, Brassall
When you’re coming down the road, you cannot miss Battye Park. It’s brightly coloured play equipment will catch any child’s eye, but only if you live this side of town! Perfect for kids of all ages, this playground has swings, slides, spring rockers, climbing nets, plenty of green space to run around and is completely covered with shade sails. There are plenty of covered picnic tables, barbeques, public toilets and baby change facilities. Plenty of birthday parties have been celebrated here, and it’s obvious why!
Grande Park, Springfield Lakes
If you’re not a local, it’s likely you won’t know Grande Park exists. Hidden down side streets off the main road, Grande Park caters to families. There is a tennis court, a full-sized basketball court, a mini-road track complete with traffic signs, swings and slides. Set amongst the gum trees, there is heaps of space for the kids to run around and there are plenty of covered picnic tables, barbecues and public toilets.
Johnston Park, Rosewood
One of my favourite things about this park is the trees! Huge trees surround the park and provide beautiful shade cover. Johnston Park has the perfect playground for younger children due to its size and the fact that it is entirely surrounded by a safety fence; no worrying about children wandering off! At this park, you will find covered picnic tables, barbecues and public toilets. If you’re a parent with little kids keen for a sit-down and chill, add this park to the top of your list.
Johnston Park, 61 John Street, Rosewood
Thomas and Rose Woods Park, Redbank Plains
With new estates come great kids’ playgrounds and the Thomas and Rose Woods Park is one of them. Situated in Redbank Plains’ new Sanctuary Estate, this colourful playground is shade covered, has a rope bridge, rope climbing wall, a play centre for the younger children, swings, slide and a half basketball court. Kids can also bring their bikes or scooters along and enjoy the surrounding pathway. There are covered picnic tables here but unfortunately, no barbecues or toilets.
Picture: Urbane Homes
Thomas and Rose Woods Park, John Carroll Way, Sanctuary Estate, Redbank Plains
Tucker Family Park, Bellbird Park
Tucker Family Park, aptly named after the Tucker Family whose 360-acre dairy farm used to be on the land where the playground is now situated, is another brand new, must see playground. There is a whopping 9.2 meter play tower and slide, swings, multi-spinner, elephant springer, an outdoor gym, multipurpose outdoor court for basketball or soccer and a huge off-leash dog area.
Although there’s not as much shade here as other parks, just the sight of the tower, its distinctive cube detail and the huge slide alone will have your kids very happy, and if you’re keen, the bootcamp style gym area will have you smiling too. Unfortunately, there are no barbecues or toilets here so make sure you plan ahead.
Tucker Family Park, Alesana Drive, Brentwood Estate, Bellbird Park
Brookwater Rise Park, Brookwater
Brookwater is more than the home to stunning houses and golf, there are some hidden parks too! We were very surprised when we came across this park for the first time because we didn’t expect it.
Although there are no public toilets here, with family living locally, it is an excellent opportunity to take the kids down the road for a play. There’s a bit of an age gap between my kids, and so it’s always great to find a playground that caters for toddlers and primary school aged kids; Brookwater Rise Park is one of them. The park has two sets of swings catering to big kids and little kids and is designed so age areas are on different levels with age appropriate equipment like forts, slides, climbing nets and a sandpit for the little ones. There are also bike and walking paths, a half basketball court and wide open spaces for the kids to run around, all surrounded by the lovely greenery that Brookwater is well known for.
Picture: Brookwater.com.au
Brookwater Rise Park, Botanic Crescent, Brookwater
