I thought this was just an ordinary neighbourhood park. We walked a loop with the kids and found the reserve has three playground areas, and each one plays differently.
In the one place, a baby can explore slowly, a kid who likes climbing can burn off energy, and the older ones can play a round of life-size Snakes & Ladders.
The colourful toddler area
The classic red, blue and yellow combination. There’s a green curved slide, a honeycomb-hole climbing board, low steps and interactive panels.
The whole area is fairly low. A kid was playing on the red balance steps while we were there. Little ones can practise climbing, sliding and balancing at their own pace, and I didn’t need to keep looking up to chase mine.
There are several shade sails overhead, so the shade is pretty good. The ground is woodchip, so keep an eye on the feet of anyone who’s only just started walking.
The timber rope net area
This one was nothing like my first impression of the park. It’s clearly much bigger.
Tall timber poles are joined by rope nets on several levels, thick rope bridges and hanging stepping boards. Kids can choose their own height and route. It suits kids who already like climbing and have steadier body control, and a more nervous kid can start from the bottom and take it slowly.
There’s a climbing wall and a ping pong table next to it as well.
The giant Snakes & Ladders
The third area is a giant Snakes & Ladders under a shade structure.
The ground is laid out as a board of squares, with 3D snakes, ladders, a rules sign and a big dice you can flip over.
A baby doesn’t need to know the rules. They can step on the bumps, learn the numbers and walk along the squares. Older kids can roll the dice and play a proper round. If your kids are different ages, they can each play their own way here.
The rest of the park
There’s a picnic pavilion with tables and chairs, and around it are lawns, big trees, seats and paths. Best of all, there’s a toilet.
Is it worth the trip?
It isn’t one of those giant themed playgrounds, so a special trip from across the city might not be needed. As a local park, though, the three zones cover kids of different ages and whatever mood they’re in that day. If you live near Bentleigh, bookmark it.
Where it is
Hodgson Reserve, Higgins Road, Bentleigh VIC 3204. The snakes and ladders is on the upper level, up the hill from the Bentleigh McKinnon Youth Centre.
More Melbourne parks: McAlpin Reserve in Ringwood North and the Mill Park all-abilities play space.