Livvi’s Place Ryde barely needs an introduction if you live nearby, every local family seems to know it, but I keep talking to families from other suburbs who’ve never been, so I’m going to say it anyway, it’s my favourite of the Livvi’s Place playgrounds we’ve tried! We’ve been to four of them now, Ryde, The Hills, Five Dock and Bankstown, so I’ve got a pretty good idea of how they stack up against each other. With the next school holidays on the way and everyone trying to work out where to take the kids to burn off some energy, I wanted to give you one more option.
There’s more than one Livvi’s Place
Livvi’s Place playgrounds are all over Sydney and they all have the same name, which is where people go wrong. Touched by Olivia, the charity behind them, says there are over 50 across Australia. The Ryde one is inside Yamble Reserve on Quarry Road, so put Yamble Reserve into your maps app, not just Livvi’s Place, or you might end up at the wrong one. It was built by the City of Ryde and Touched by Olivia as an all-inclusive playground, where children of all abilities can play together, with themed zones that stimulate and calm.
Why Ryde is my favourite
It’s a big playground with a lot in it, so there’s always something to do and the kids don’t get bored. It’s scooter friendly too, and it works for both older and younger kids, so everyone’s looked after. Apart from the kiosk, I think the design is excellent.
What’s in the playground
There are swings, including a swinging disc, slides, a sandpit with a hand pump for water, a flying fox, a net climbing tower, spring rockers and a spinning disc set into the ground, and there’s soft fall underneath. The whole playground is fenced, and there’s a quieter end with animal sculptures and pole artworks. The one thing it doesn’t have much of is things for really young babies.
Parking, toilets and food
Parking is easy, there’s a big car park off Quarry Road, and a second one off Clermont Avenue that suits visitors with mobility needs. The toilets are in a block just outside the fence, with child and adult change tables, so you do have to leave the playground to use them. There’s no kiosk, so bring your own food, and there are picnic shelters, BBQs and drinking bubblers.
Free storytime
Outside the school holidays there’s a free storytime on Mondays and Wednesdays, which is such a nice extra. Touched by Olivia runs the storytime sessions, so check their storytime page for the current times before you go.
Birthday parties
If you’re thinking about a birthday party here, be careful. There aren’t many shelters, the council has one gazebo you can book, the other picnic shelters are first come first served, and I’ve heard you need to be there at 5am to grab one. Just thinking about it stresses me out, so I wouldn’t hold a party here, the pressure isn’t worth it.
How the other Livvi’s Places compare
Five Dock is really good too, and it has its own little kiosk where you can buy food, which Ryde doesn’t. But parking there is hard to find, and some parts of the playground have blind spots, so sometimes I couldn’t see where my kid was, which didn’t feel very safe, or at least it wasn’t easy to relax.
When we went to The Hills there wasn’t much shade, so I’d think twice about going in summer, it gets hot.
Bankstown is a lot busier, with kids and adults packed into every corner of the playground, so I personally wouldn’t recommend it.
Is it worth it
Yes, if you’ve never been, go! Ryde is the one I’d pick out of the four we’ve tried, it’s big, there’s lots to do, it’s scooter friendly, and parking and toilets are easy. Just bring your own food, don’t try to hold a party there, and put Yamble Reserve into your maps, not just the name.
The Livvi’s Place playground is at Yamble Reserve, Quarry Road, Ryde NSW 2112. Check the NSW school holidays and term dates when you’re planning, and have a look through our playground reviews for more free options.
Sources: City of Ryde, Yamble Reserve, Touched by Olivia, Livvi’s Place, Touched by Olivia, Storytime, Wheeleasy, Livvi’s Place Ryde