Robinson Reserve, Tuart Hill

As of July 2019, Robinson Reserve in Tuart Hill has a new playground. Covered by shade sails, this play area is full of fun for kids from tots to teens.

Miss 5 has been excitedly waiting for the new playground to open. So as soon as the fences came down we wandered over for a look.

On walking through the gate, I was immediately struck by the greenness of the park. City of Stirling has replaced all the turf that was torn up during construction with soft, fresh grass. There are new trees planted amongst this which will hopefully grow a tall and shady as the original trees.

The first part of the play equipment Miss 5 ran to was a wooden shop, perfect for imaginary play. This is set in soft, white beach sand, and could also be used as a play house or imaginary jail or more.

The next part that grabbed her attention was the nearby monkey bars. These are preceded by colourful plastic “stepping stones”. A popular choice with many of the kids checking out the park that day! The monkey bars are quite tall, build for older kids. My little monkey didn’t let this stop her, using the hand rail as a step up to grab the bars.

Once across the monkey bars, there is a small rope ladder that leads up to a wobbly rubbery bridge. The kids seemed to love this, too! Another rope ladder leads up from the sand to the platform on the other side of the bridge, and from there, children can choose to either go down a double slide or choose to climb across a series of rope webs. Miss 5 returned to these a number of times. They clearly appeal to her inner climbing spirit!

Also located in this sandy section is a pair of swings. These have wide seats, so adults can easily enjoy them too for themselves or to swing with little children. Up some steps, there are two sand diggers and some decorative logs.

Beyond this is an area more suited to smaller tots. It features a pair of spring rockers and a birds nest swing, and the ground is covered with rubbery soft fall to save little knees from tumbles.

On the other side of the white sand, there is also a small nature play area. This contains a number of balancing logs and is surrounded by red, coarser sand. Both sandy areas would be a great spot to play with a bucket and spade or some trucks from home. Next time we go, we will be more prepared with some sand play toys.

In addition to the children’s playground, there is now also a basketball hoop and a skate park section. The basketball court is located adjacent to the football oval/cricket ground. Kids with scooters and skateboards will have a ball perfecting their tricks here with their friends. New paths have also been laid in a loop around the whole of the reserve. So these are now perfect for bringing along bikes and scooters for a ride in addition to a play.

Several covered picnic tables surround the playground. These, combined with a barbecue with two hot plates and new unisex toilets, make the reserve a great spot for casual birthday parties or family gatherings.

Shade sails cover most of the play area. Therefore the playground is reasonably sun smart. Still, it would be wise to bring a sun hat and sunscreen for those uncovered sections.

In a hat tip to the reserve’s history of hosting the local agricultural show, new cow figures have been installed at the front near the turn styles. These appear to be a cow and her calf.

As of the time of this new play area opening, the pre-existing playground on the Park Street side of the reserve is still in place. However, on looking at the master plan on the City of Stirling website, it appears this playground may eventually be removed. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it until such a time as it is removed.

This existing playground includes a regular swing and baby swing, a slide, climbing bars and a small flying fox.

There is a large climbing structure at one end featuring a curved slide, a plastic climbing wall, a chain ladder, with a steering wheel and a telescope on the top level. There are climbing bars on either end and the structure loops around, connected by monkey bars and a curved flying fox.

Following the pathway around from this little play area, there is a new community fruit orchard. Handy for those times when you need a lemon for cooking for example!

With a large oval adjacent, Robinson Reserve is a great place to run and kick a ball around. On the Waterloo Street side of the reserve, there is a cricket cage for young cricketers to hone their skills. The reserve is popular with locals walking their dogs in the morning or evening too, so would be a great place to meet other families with dogs.

Robinson Reserve, Tuart Hill

Located on the corner of Royal and Park Streets, Tuart Hill, adjacent to Osborne Park Library.

Parking is available on Park Street and behind the library on Waterloo Street.

Why not combine your play at Robinson Reserve with a coffee at nearby Sondrea Espresso? Or alternatively, why not make an afternoon of it and combine with a game of lawn bowls and dinner at Osborne Park Bowling Club?

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