Jack Watkins Reserve | Playground Review
The recently upgraded Jack Watkins Reserve is a treasure trove for train loving kids and the perfect meeting place for families. Whilst Churchill road and the adjacent Costco shopping complex can be bustling, this reserve is spacious, inclusive and well planned.
Review by Angelica-Hazel Toutounji
Pulling into the small car park, it is surprising to see just how big this space is. There is an abundance of green lawn surrounding the playground, multiple sun shades and plenty of seated areas. As you move closer to the playground you will find a small swing set with a double swing, meaning parents can swing with their small children.
Next to this area is a train themed play area perfectly suited to younger kids. There is a small slide, tunnel, smaller train carriages and even two ticketing booths for imaginative play. This area also features rubber flooring making it easier for parents with prams and anyone with mobility issues.
Moving further into the reserve there is a large seated undercover area with a BBQ in the middle for multiple families to enjoy. The surrounding area is landscaped with bark chips, pops of colourful flowers and train tracks guiding you to the larger play space. Here you will find three slides all of varying size, a nature play area, a small rock climbing station and even a big play drum.
Past the senior playground there are climbing nets, in ground trampolines, more swing sets and a sweet little merry go round. There is also a basketball court, bike pump track, a dog park and multiple play spots including hopscotch, handball and a table tennis table.
What really sets this park apart from others is how well the space was designed. Not only does it cater to kids of varying ages, it has ample space for multiple families to enjoy without feeling like they are on top of each other.
Jack Watkins Reserve also has useful facilities for gatherings and family outings including multiple toilets, tables, BBQs and even drinking fountains.
Another big bonus about this playground is that it is located right next to the Costco car park and Churchill Shopping Centre. You could easily make a day out of it and visit the nearby kid friendly attractions such as Tada Kids CafΓ©, House Down Under, Crocs Kilburn and the free indoor playground βLittle Chicago Expressβ. Last but not least, being so close to the Churchill Centre means you have access to a range of quick and easy dining options and can grab a coffee on your way in or out. All in all, this park is worth a visit and has all you need for a quick trip or a full day outing.
Things to Consider:
β’ There are 4 brand new toilets (currently under construction so the closest one at this stage is in the next door Churchill Shopping Centre)
β’ There is a car park but it is small, during peak times you might need to park across at the Costco car park
β’ There are no facilities for water or sand play so be mindful of this
β’ The area is not fully fenced
β’ If you have sporty kids donβt forget to bring a ball, bike or table tennis equipment
Our favourite nearby coffee spots/cafes:
Churchill Centre is located right next to the playground and has a variety of eateries.
Location:
Churchill Rd, Kilburn (located next to Churchill Shopping Centre)
For more information and all enquiries please visit City of PAE website.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently. All photos are by Play & Go September 2025.
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