Cassandra Crescent Reserve, in Heathcote, is among the latest playgrounds to receive a comprehensive renewal from the Sutherland Shire Council.
We pulled up alongside the fenced (but not gated) reserve and were able to park right out the front. There’s ample on-street parking on the roads in front of the park.
My daughter ran excitedly over to the colourful new play structure, which features a rope bridge, climbing nets, small rock climbing wall, medium-sized slide, small pretend shopfront and a few sensory games for little ones. It’s set on a mixture of synthetic grass and bark and is well shaded by the trees when the sun comes out.
Unlike a lot of playgrounds we’ve visited, this one has a ramp up to the play equipment, which is great for both children in wheelchairs as well as those still learning to navigate steps!
There are talking tubes and a moveable maze, which challenges kids to navigate a ball through to the centre.
You’ll also find two swings (a baby swing and large basket swing), and logs and rocks to jump across.
A nice path for scooters and small bikes circles the paths, and you can watch on from one of a few picnic tables and chairs/benches around the path’s edge.
A red bin has been provided for your rubbish but there are no toilets. That brings me though to our favourite part of the park, the bush at the back (which offers endless spots for a bush-wee if your kids are desperate).
Directly behind the reserve is an entrance that leads down to an easy but beautiful little bushwalk. After coming down the rock stairs you can head left, right (or do both) and follow the clear path beside the small river.
My 4-year-old did this with ease, so the bushwalk is probably suitable for kids ages 3 and up, while the playground itself is ideal for kids 0-5.
There’s nothing much within about a 12-minute walk, but if you’re driving then you’re only two minutes away from the main stretch of shops in Heathcote, where you’ll find fish and chips, cafes, and an IGA if you need to pick up a few things while you’re out.
Still searching for your next adventure? Read more Sutherland Shire playground reviews here or try some different activities in our “A Day Out in…” the Shire series.
