Thalassa Park, Aberfoyle Park

Easily the biggest park or playground visited yet. Thalassa Park is big enough to be sign-posted off Happy Valley Drive (so no excuses for not being able to find it!) and is a park you drive into for parking.

There is a formal garden area and plenty of wooded, shady BBQ areas, including a few that are set up near the very impressive playground.

It's a park which is clearly set up for picnicking and the public toilets are next to the playground - perfect for little legs which get tired easily.

The large playground caters well for children of all ages. There are three slides of varying sizes and four swings. There are three spring riders for younger children and a whole raft of climbing equipment for older children, including flying foxes and a fireman's pole.

The playground is close to the car park (not so close you have to worry) and while it's not exactly shaded itself, there is plenty of shade in the surrounding park area, including a gazebo for those organised enough to get there early and stake a claim! Onkaparinga Council does want you to get in touch if you're planning a gathering of 30 or more (true for all the council parks) but I'm not sure if that means you can actually book a spot.

If you're prepared to be away from the playground there are plenty of bbqs dotted around. There is a lot of explore (we only covered a tiny fraction, due to a disproportionate amount of time spent on the swings) and, with its dedicated drive, you only have to worry about car park traffic.

If you've not brought your lunch along, the Aberfoyle Hub shopping centre is very close by, as are the shops on South Road.

A top notch park and recommended for groups, especially mixed age groups.

Minkarra Park, Flagstaff Hill

This playground is actually part of a much greater recreation area.  Immediately adjacent to it is the Minkarra skate park, the Minkarra dog park and a large general park area with walking and biking trails - as well as an outdoor exercise station if you fancy doing some pull ups while your little ones burn off energy.






There is dedicated parking on Manning Road, immediately off Happy Valley Road and there are also public toilets here too.

The playground is adjacent to the parking so there is no need to drag small tired legs too far.  It is a really well shaded area and has a good range of play equipment that will suit both younger and older children.  There are, naturally, a couple of swings and a slide, but there is also a very large climbing frame, a see-saw that will seat 4 and a spring rider.  This is also a circular spinning 'thing' (see photo!).

There is a table and some seating and the Aberfoyle Hub shopping centre is very close by, so while there are no BBQ facilities you can still organise yourself some lunch or afternoon tea.

I imagine this playground gets pretty busy and it's not massive.  Also, unless you head off into the main park itself (not something you'd want your little one doing on their lonesome) there is very limited space for just running around.

Given the extra facilities here, this is definitely a playground that's worth going out of your way to visit.

Mandilla Reserve, Flagstaff Hill

Mandilla Reserve takes up a large space between Daveys and Manning Roads, right on the border between Flagstaff Hill and Aberfoyle Park.  The playground part is quite small, and is more easily accessible from Manning Road, rather than Daveys Road.

Although not fenced, the playground is set well back from both roads and backs on to residential fencing so while you need to be switched on, you don't need to hover.

There is one bench seat, and the playground equipment includes 2 spring riders, a very good see-saw, a slippery dip set into a frame with a cargo net, 2 swings (one a baby swing) AND a flying fox.  Aside from the flying fox the play equipment is really aimed at younger children.

The play equipment is all set over soft fall bark chips and is well shaded.



There is also a very large grassed area and the reserve is also home to a Bush for Life woodland restoration of Grey Box.  This provides quite a large area to explore for children who are a bit older and are responsible enough to respect the ecological importance of the restoration (for example, staying on cleared paths).

There are shops nearby:  both Manning and Daveys Road are home to local shops and the Aberfoyle Hub shopping areas are a very short drive away.

The reserve has no toilets or BBQ facilities.  One thing which is a pain is that it does not have dedicated parking and on street parking is a little tricky.  Both Manning and Daveys Roads have quite a lot of 'no standing' areas.  I parked on Edina Street - it's a little bit of a walk but it did mean a park on a quiet street i the shade.

The toddler declared that he loved the playground and was never, ever going to leave.  So a thumbs up (with a few caveats).