Frankston City is home to some of the most adventurous playgrounds in Victoria.  There is an array of activities that will excite children of all ages.  From the award-winning Frankston Regional Waterfront Playground on the beach, to the grassy knolls at Sandfield Reserve, Frankston City’s playgrounds cater for every taste.

The eight playgrounds featured are proven family favourites, so why not pack a picnic and enjoy the best of Frankston City’s playgrounds.

Frankston Regional Waterfront Playground

Pier Promenade, Frankston (Melway Ref: 100 B3)

All the excitement of a beach and park atmosphere, wrapped up into one exhilarating experience at the Frankston Regional Waterfront playground.  Winner of Victoria’s 2007 Cleanest and Friendliest Beach Awards, the Frankston Waterfront has become one of the City’s focal points for families to relax and play. 

Children love the huge mystical castles, pirate ship, swings, flying fox, monkey bars and the sandpit, which is surrounded by a decked walkway.  The playground also includes a Liberty Swing, which is designed for children with a disability, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to enjoy this unique play experience. The playground also recently won the SunSmart Metropolitan Shade Award for 2007 and is recognised as a SunSmart place where children will have a ball.

Plan a day trip to the magnificent Frankston Waterfront and enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk, a family picnic or perhaps dine at one of the Waterfront restaurants.  To get the most out of your Frankston experience, take a short stroll from the playground to the Frankston Visitor Information Centre, which has all the information on places to visit and things to do in Frankston City. 

• BBQ
• Sandpit
• Accessible toilets – disabled access
• Parking
• Picnic Tables
• Shade
• Play equipment for all abilities (disabled sign)
• Swimming
• Drinking fountain or tap
• Dogs are not permitted

George Pentland Botanical Gardens Playground

William Street, between Foot Street and Yuille Street, Frankston (Melway Ref: 102 E5)

The tranquil surrounds of the native flora make George Pentland Botanical Gardens an ideal location for a family outing.  The feature playground is host to a long slide that follows the slope of the hill and is sure to challenge even the gamest of children.  Equipment for toddlers is ample, with slides, tunnels, rockers and other activities.   There are picnic and barbecue facilities throughout the gardens.

The other feature sure to catch every child’s attention is the large wooden tower, with a succession of ramps leading to the top. Once there, the view of the gardens and surrounds is breathtaking.

For mum and dad, there are long walking paths with picturesque views of lakes, local vegetation and wildlife, including the Little Wattle Bird, which is brown with white patches under the eyes and on the wing tips. On the lake you will find the Pacific Black Duck, which has iridescent green patches on its wings set against the dark brown plumage. 

All the natural beauty of the botanic gardens is within a five-minute drive of the centre of Frankston and the beach, where you can take in some of the other sights that Frankston City has to offer.

• BBQ
• Sandpit
• Drinking fountain or tap
• Parking
• Shade
• Accessible toilets – disabled access
• Dogs are not permitted

Ballam Park Playground

Cranbourne Road, Frankston (Melway Ref: 103 B4)

Ballam Park is best described as “abundantly fun”.  With two playgrounds to choose from and beautiful park surrounds, there is almost too much to do at this wonderful reserve.

Closest to the car park is the west playground, with ladders, forts, climbing walls and fortresses, which are designed to meet the needs of slightly older children.  

The eastern playground has a range of fun activities for younger children to discover, with forts, rockers, climbing activities and other play activities that will keep toddlers/pre-schoolers thoroughly entertained.

Ballam Park is home to a huge area of open space featuring a basketball half-court, tennis wall, walking trails, ovals and an athletics track.  There is plenty to do for people of all ages, with shade and barbecues provided in the large picnic area.

If you happen to have a soft spot for cultural icons, you may want to take a short stroll across to the historic Ballam Park Homestead, which is a sandstone brick house erected in the 1850s.  This cultural icon is open to the public from 1.00pm to 5.00pm on Sunday afternoons by appointment, with a small entry fee.  Call or visit the Frankston Visitor Information Centre for more details.  

• BBQ
• Basketball
• Open grass area
• Tennis
• Drinking fountain or tap
• Free parking
• Picnic tables
• Shade
• Parking
• Accessible toilets – disabled toilet
• Dogs allowed, but not near eating or playing area

Monterey Community Park Playground

Access via Monterey Boulevard or Lehmann Crescent, Frankston North (Melway Ref: 99 K8) 

The Monterey Community Park Playground is a modern arrangement of fun and games, with a safe rubber surface, which is a first in Frankston City.

Connected by a bridge over the ‘rubber river’, the two sections of the playground are designed to cater for children of all ages.  There are plenty of fun climbing activities as well as steering wheels, a kaleidoscope, fireman’s pole and swings.  The slide, designed for smaller children, is at a more moderate height than the more challenging slope provided for older children.  Access to forts on each side of the playground can be gained via challenging honeycomb climbers.

Surrounding the playground are swings, rockers, and a stand-on roller, a picnic area with two barbecues and a timber pavilion next to the car park.  There is also plenty of open grassy area as well as two soccer fields if you feel like kicking a ball around.

• BBQ
• Area for tricycles
• Skate facility
• Drinking fountain or tap
• Open grass area
• Picnic tables
• Dogs permitted on a leash

Overport Park Playground

Access via Overport Road or Somerset Road, Frankston South (Melway Ref: 102 C12)

The Overport Park playground is a real winner with kids.   Children will feel on top of the world when they reach the top of the enormous fortresses, and will enjoy getting back to ground level via the gigantic slide.  There are two sets of swings, a flying fox and a range of monkey bars and climbing activities.  Older children will also enjoy the challenge of sliding down the huge fireman’s pole.

The playground is surrounded by picnic benches and ample shade.  The rest of the park has tennis courts, sports fields and walking paths to Sweetwater Creek. The Overport Park playground is one of the most fun experiences for children in Frankston City.

• Picnic tables
• Free roam for dogs
• Disabled toilets
• Tennis
• Walking trail
• Open grass area
• Car park

William Hovell Reserve Playground

Raleon Avenue, Frankston (Melway Ref: 102 H9)

William Hovell Reserve is a large open-space park with plenty of hills and space to run around, kick a ball or enjoy the playground.

The playground caters for both younger and older children, and has a real climbing theme, with challenging monkey bars, a flying fox, tunnels, stand-on roller as well as swings and three slides. There is ample room to have a picnic on the expansive grassy knoll, and there is a picnic table and seating next to the playground that you can watch your children from.

• Picnic table
• Dogs permitted on a leash
• Open grass area

Seaford North Reserve Playground

Railway Parade, Seaford (Melway Ref: 99 E2)

Seaford North Reserve is a major sporting facility providing a number of soccer and cricket ovals.  In addition, there is a skate park next to the playground, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The playground has a flying fox, monkey bars, stand-on roller, swings and an exciting four seat see-saw, which will make the kids eyes light up.  The other exciting part of the playground is the double slide, which allows children to “race side-by-side” on their way down to the bottom. The playground promotes a friendly environment with picnic tables and plenty of space to kick a ball or run around.

• Toilets
• Parking
• Picnic tables
• Open grass area
• Skate park
• BBQ

Sandfield Reserve Playground

Sandfield Drive, Carrum Downs (Melway Ref: E2)

Sandfield Reserve is home to Carrum Downs’ feature playground.  The reserve is known for its large expanses of open grassy space, which is perfect for a family picnic.

The modern style playground has two sections, suiting both younger and older children.  With plenty of activities including a corkscrew slide, lots of climbing and plenty of nooks and crannies to hide in, the kids will not be disappointed.  There are also a number of smaller activities for toddlers, ensuring everyone has a ball.

The reserve also has a skate park, tennis wall and basketball court, which are great entertainment for older children.

• Seating
• Open grass area
• Free roam for dogs
• Skate park
• Tennis
• Basketball
• Walking track