Millet Park, Innaloo

Younger children are well catered for with a smaller, traditional-style toddler play frame. Little ones can climb up via the stairs to enjoy a curling slide, a noughts and crosses panel, a coloured window and a cute mini “weather station”. Underneath, there’s a shopfront window that’s perfect for imaginative games, and a tunnel to crawl or clamber through. A twisty fireman’s pole offers a bit more of a challenge for confident kids. The whole toddler area is set on rubber soft fall, and shade sails are installed over the main equipment in summer to help keep things cooler.

A big recent drawcard is the junior bike skills track, added in May 2023 for kids up to around 12 years. This mini road network is ideal for beginner riders, with gentle humps to roll over, a roundabout and plenty of twists and turns to practise steering and braking. Themed stops along the way – including a petrol station, mini hardware store and a drive-up café – invite pretend play as children “fuel up” or grab a take-away coffee and hotdog. Nature play elements such as dirt track sections, balancing logs, rocks and large timber logs for sitting give the space a more natural feel and encourage kids to explore off the main path.

Right next to the bike area is a compact skate facility that has quickly become a neighbourhood hotspot. It features a grind rail, pump bump, quarter pipe and a mellow bank that’s perfect for beginners building confidence. You’ll see everything from toddlers on balance bikes to tweens and teens on scooters and skateboards making use of the space. Even children with more basic commuter-style scooters can still enjoy rolling down the gentle bank and over the humps.

Family facilities are close at hand. Near the main Playground you’ll find toilets, two covered picnic tables and a barbecue with two hot plates and bench seating, shaded by mature trees. It’s an easy spot to host a casual park birthday party or enjoy a picnic between play sessions. A drinking fountain sits right next to the toddler play area for quick water breaks.

At the opposite end of the park there’s a garden-style nature play area with rocks, logs, sand and winding paths that link the different sections. The rocks here are quite tall, so this part of the park is better suited to older or more adventurous children who are confident climbing higher features. That said, even bold toddlers often have a go – it’s a space that encourages kids to test their balance and coordination in a more natural setting.

Millet Park also offers plenty of open grassed space and shared paths, making it a good all-round recreation spot for riding bikes or scooters, roller skating, kicking a ball or walking the dog. Do note that while dogs are welcome in the park, they are not permitted in the designated Playground area, so you’ll need to keep an eye on boundaries if you bring your furry friend along. Adult fitness equipment dotted near the Boronia Street end means parents can squeeze in a light workout while the kids play.

A fun extra at Millet Park is its inclusion as a Magical Park location – an augmented reality Playground accessible via a free app on Apple and Android devices. Similar in concept to Pokémon Go, Magical Park overlays digital characters and games onto the real park environment, encouraging kids to run around completing missions in up to nine different themed games. If you have screen-loving children who need a bit of motivation to get moving, this can be a great incentive.

Millet Park is unfenced, so it’s important to closely supervise little “runners”, especially near the busy Huntriss Road side. With that in mind, the combination of big climbing structures, varied play experiences, wheeled sports facilities and generous green space make this a brilliant destination for energetic, adventurous kids. Throw in the easy access to coffee and snacks at nearby Cup & Co and Brighton Fish & Chips on Muriel Avenue, and it’s an easy choice for a relaxed family outing.

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