Tucked away on Mary Street in Como, Olives Reserve is a lovely local park with a modern Playground and a dedicated dog exercise area, making it a great spot for families with both kids and furry friends.
The sand-based Playground features a compact but fun combination of equipment, perfect for kids who love to climb and explore. There are two slides, rope ladders, a fireman’s pole, a wobbly bridge, a small rock climbing wall and swings. The layout works well as a little obstacle course – ideal for kids who enjoy racing each other from one end to the other or repeating their favourite sections.
The rock climbing wall, in particular, is a standout for confident toddlers and preschoolers, offering a nice little challenge as they work out where to place their hands and feet.
Because much of the play structure is rope-based and involves climbing and balancing, it’s generally best suited to children aged around three and up, or younger ones with close supervision. The soft sand base helps cushion little tumbles, but there are some higher elements that will appeal more to older toddlers and primary-aged kids.
Surrounding the Playground is a generous grassed area, providing plenty of room for a picnic rug, a game of chasey or kicking a ball. A couple of BBQs and picnic tables are dotted around, making Olives Reserve a handy choice for a casual family catch up or a relaxed weekend sausage sizzle. The atmosphere is very local and low-key, so it’s easy to spend an hour or two here while the kids burn off energy.
One of the most unique features of Olives Reserve is the separate grassed dog exercise area. This space has been thoughtfully designed for off-lead fun, with low mounded hills to run over, a simple agility-style course and water fountains with attached dog bowls. It’s a clever addition that keeps dogs safely away from the main Playground while still letting them enjoy a good play. Many kids will also get a kick out of watching the dogs run and jump, and little animal lovers will be fascinated by the agility equipment.
The main downside to be aware of is the lack of obvious public toilets nearby, so it’s worth planning a visit with this in mind – especially if you have newly toilet-trained toddlers or expect to stay for a longer play. On the plus side, there is usually plenty of street parking available along Mary Street, making access easy even with prams or scooters in tow.
Overall, Olives Reserve is a great little neighbourhood park: simple, friendly, with enough play value to keep under-10s entertained and a bonus dog park that makes it stand out from many other small suburban reserves.
Olives Reserve
Address: Mary Street, Como, WA 6152
Location
Place Category: Playgrounds
