Granite Hills Major Community Park Playground, Hunters Road, Mernda
The park is huge and includes a playground with big slides on the side of a hill, lots of climbing opportunities, water play area, dual flying foxes, two large ponds with one having a boardwalk on the side, nature play and lots of picnic facilities. The park has walking trails and an Aboriginal Gathering Place is a short walk away. The park is it in an isolated location and the gates are open from 7am to 9 pm.
The two large dams lined by reeds with water birds are not protected by secure fencing which means that vigilance is needed by parents, especially since the site is so large. There is plenty of parking at the entrance and along the side of the playground.
On the side closest to the car park is a big dam with a boardwalk along one side. At the end of the boardwalk is an area with toilets, a huge shelter with two large tables and BBQs and water taps. When we visited the toilets were terrible; either damaged or not flushing properly. Beside the lake is a line with birds nest swing, series of log and rock steppers, a section of an old tree to climb and four standard swings.
At the big highest point are the three Goldilocks metal slides - small, medium and large. There are steps to reach the top of the slides where there is a log jumble climbing frame. At the base of the slides are log steppers and a shelter with table, seats, BBQs and water tap. Facing opposite this area is a pond. Around the side of the pond is a giant eel, shelter with table and BBQs and a climbing area with part of a large old tree, log, stump and board balance / stepper circuit and yet another shelter with table, seats and water tap. Another climbing area with rope nets, rope tunnel and hammock (for those wanting a rest from climbing). On the side is a big dual flying fox with disk seat and harness seat. Another shelter with three tables and BBQs with little metal slide on the side.
A large sandpit partly covered by a shade sail and cylinder which spins around to make noises. There's a waterplay area with two water pumps (one not working when we visited) with water running down a channel split by rocks and watched over by a frog into a drain. Also two in-ground trampolines, Bunyil sculpture, birds nest swing and two standard swings.
Location
105 Hunters Road, Mernda 3754 View Map
