Paradise Recreation Plaza 2023 Upgrade Review
The newly-upgraded skate park at Paradise now boasts a pump track, BMX track, parkour zone and lots of play equipment to keep kids busy and challenged in all sorts of ways.
Review by Claire Davill
The new play area sits between Darley Road (across from the Paradise Interchange) and the Torrens Linear park, making it an easily accessible park. The skate park has been upgraded and includes a huge skating area with ramps, rails and jumps, with a nearby paved pump track suitable for all ages, and a dirt BMX track with challenging jumps for older kids.
We visited in the evening and early morning. In the evening, the skate park is much busier, with lots of teenagers using the facility. While we did observe the teenagers being very considerate of smaller kids, some little kids might find the atmosphere a little overwhelming. Earlier in the day it is much quieter, and most of the skate park users are smaller children on scooters and balance bikes. This is definitely a much better time for less confident kids to start honing their skills. There’s plenty of flat areas and gentle slopes and small ramps for smaller kids, as well as more challenging features for the more confident skaters.
The pump track is a great little circuit for everyone, from toddlers on balance bikes or scooters, to big kids on BMX bikes.
A fantastic dual flying fox is a big drawcard here. Perfect for two people racing against each other – both lines are identical. The flying fox features brakes when not in use, so the seats stay where you want them to until you hop on. Each line has a launch platform accessed by a small ladder.
A half-court basketball court, netball hoop and table tennis table sit across the central lawn area from the newly developed playground and parkour area. There are picnic shelters and barbeques here as well.
The parkour zone is aimed at bigger kids, but smaller kids can still climb and swing on the bars. There are also cement blocks to jump on and off, and over if you’re more advanced! Note that there is no soft-fall under the parkour zone, and the local council has reminders to be mindful of your abilities here.
Smaller kids will definitely enjoy the obstacle course nearby. Start and finish logs mark the course, which includes stepping poles, balance logs, stepping stones, hurdles and a cargo net.
At the far end of the park you’ll find play equipment suitable for smaller kids. It’s also much quieter here, and nicely shaded. There’s a wide slide on a mound with soft-fall and climbing rocks, an in-ground trampoline, a small merry-go-round and a basket swing.
There is also a picnic shelter, barbeque and drinking fountain near the slide. There is a single toilet over near the basketball hoops – look for the bright mural to find it! Young children will need close supervision when using the toilet as it’s quite close to Darley Road.
Things to consider:
- The plaza is designed for older kids. There’s no fencing, a busy road nearby, and most of the equipment is quite challenging. There are some suitable aspects for toddlers, but they will need close supervision.
- There are very few accessible features in the plaza. Most of the playground equipment uses bark chips as soft-fall, and there’s no supportive seats on the flying fox. A new accessible toilet with adult change table and hoist, and communication boards are planned to be installed in 2024.
- There is a small carpark accessed from Darley Road, adjacent to the nearby fire station. Parking is also available at Paradise Interchange, and from there it’s a short walk along the footpath under Darley road to the plaza.
- The proximity to Paradise Interchange means you can also easily catch an O-Bahn bus to and from the plaza.
- The plaza also sits right next to the Torrens Linear Bike Path, and there are bike racks installed right next to the playground area.
- The plaza is only partially shaded by trees and shade sails. Bring plenty of sunscreen and hats on sunny days.
- There’s plenty of benches and tables for picnics, a couple of water fountains, barbeques, power points for public use and plenty of bins. The one toilet is an Exeloo, with automatic door.
Location:
Darley Road, Paradise (just south of the Torrens River, and across the road from Paradise interchange).
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Campbelltown City Council 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.
Image Source: Play & Go Adelaide December 2023
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