It has long boasted the trifecta of features found at the top of any parent’s playground wish list – a fully-enclosed fence to contain escapee toddlers, shade sails because you’ve lost all the hats and coffee from the adjacent kiosk to keep you conscious after waking up who knows how many times last night – but now the Semaphore South Foreshore Playground has the equipment to match.
Review by Lisa Bachmayer
Despite its desirable features, the Semaphore South Foreshore Playground has been the quieter playground among its more popular foreshore cousins. Now, with its sparkling new, well-chosen equipment attracting more playground-goers than ever before, this playground is making a fresh challenge as the destination to be on the foreshore and a refreshing alternative to the busy Semaphore Jetty playground.
Gone is the giant, crater-like hole in the ground, with its 45 degree slopes prompting a mad dash from parents watching their toddlers ambling towards the edge. In its place is not one or two but five – yes, five – swings: two regular swings, two baby/toddler swings and one basket swing. Now you can actually have a conversation with your friend as you both push your happy children, coffee in one hand, rather than having to diffuse explosive tantrums from the five toddlers all laying claim to the one baby swing, which was empty a minute earlier.
Following the Port Adelaide Enfield Council’s extensive consultation process, which invited children to draw pictures of their dream playground, the Semaphore South playground has been given a nautical-flavoured facelift and has been given the tick of approval from a wide range of ages, with our visits both before and during the school holidays finding a steady stream of families, from tottering toddlers to acrobatic eight year olds, coming through the gate.
Along with the five-seater swing set, the playground now features a shrimper play ship with slide and telescope, monkey bars, speaking tubes, a large rowing boat springer, smaller dolphin and fish springers, jumping jacks, lilypad steppers (large stepping stones), chime panel, marine game panel and gently-sloping mounds for toddlers to run up and down. Also located within the enclosure are four benches dotted around the site and a grass strip next to the sand dunes, perfect for laying a picnic blanket or play mat for babies.
My one (almost two) year old enjoyed the swings, tottering over the mounds, clambering on to the stepping stones and jumping jacks, babbling to her sister and a new toddler friend through the flower speaking tubes and the springers. While she needed assistance to get on the play ship to go down the slide, which she loved, I was pleasantly surprised to find three of the sides had borders so I didn’t have to frantically patrol the platform’s edges.
The five year old, meanwhile, insisted I join her atop the shrimper ship, which offered its captain and crew a lovely glimpse of the sea beyond. She loved all the above, as well as the climbing ropes which she only had to be rescued from once. While she wasn’t quite tall enough for the monkey bars, they were well enjoyed by many slightly older children.
Several adults (including myself) couldn’t resist trying to follow the notes and tap out Row Row Your Boat on the musical chime panel, proving this playground really aims to please everyone.
On top of all that, you’ll find some bonus features: pathways giving the perfect excuse to drag out the scooters and bikes, adult exercise equipment giving the perfect excuse to justify wearing your active wear for the third day in a row and the adjacent Shelly’s Kiosk offering the perfect excuse for a coffee or hot chips (which you’ll probably need to bribe the children away from the playground anyway). There is also a public toilet next to the kiosk over the path.
The cherry on top is the attention-grabbing toot of the iconic Semaphore Steam train passing in front of the playground, carrying a heard of passengers eager for waves from children on the playground and vice versa, its arrival evoking squeals of delight and squeaks of “choo!” from my one year old.
Of course, once your kids have played on everything twice, directly behind the playground you’ll find the biggest sandpit and water play combo going around – the beach.
The Semaphore South Foreshore Playground has the perfect location – and now the perfect equipment – to lay claim as a promising destination to create fun memories by the sparkling seaside, guaranteed to satisfy energetic children and harried caregivers all over Adelaide.
Things to Consider:
- The miniature Semaphore Steam Train runs between the playground and the toilet, so be extra careful when crossing the tracks.
- The coastal bike/walking path passes right by the playground, so this makes a great stop for a play. Check for bikes before crossing the path to enter the playground.
- There is plenty of off-street parking to the north and south of the playground, accessible from The Esplanade.
- Playground equipment replaced in 2023, including five swings, climbing ropes, voice pipes, musical stations, slide and boat play, monkey bars, jumping jacks, bouncers. Fully fenced with shade sails.
- Public toilet is nearby, next to the adjacent Shelly’s Semaphore kiosk.
- Consider taking bikes, scooters and beach gear to extend your visit.
- Large surrounding grassed areas, with adult gym equipment, BBQ and shelter about 100m away.
Our favourite nearby coffee spots/cafes:
Shelly’s Semaphore kiosk is directly opposite the playground, just over the steam train railway line.
Location:
The Esplanade, Semaphore South, opposite Arthur Street.
The Semaphore Playground is one of the stops along the North Haven to Point Malcolm Coastal Bike Path – read our family-friendly bike ride review.
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.
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