Swoosh down slides, splash in fountains and get back to nature as you explore our city’s top playgrounds this summer. We have more than 30 to choose from, so there is plenty to keep kids busy. Play is an essential way for children to learn and grow, and we aim to provide plenty of opportunities for our city’s youngest residents to run free, especially amid our increasingly high-density, screen-focused lives. In Kensington, we’re creating a new, improved, sustainably designed play-space in JJ Holland Park, based on community feedback. The existing play equipment will be donated to a community in Sri Lanka through Rotary. While this work is underway, here are five more local playground locations to discover. Royal Park, Parkville Explore the climbing forest and cool off under the fountains at this award-winning nature play area. Bayswater Road Reserve, Kensington Rubber pathways for wheelchairs make this playground accessible for all. Lincoln Square, Carlton Keep an eye out for the new multi-level, treehouse-inspired playground being built in 2020. Ron Barassi Senior Park, Docklands Take on the rocket ship slide and rope bridges at this brand new playground under the Bolte Bridge. Fawkner Park, South Yarra Find a sandpit, musical steps and a sensory garden in the toddler play-space. To find out more, visit Playgrounds.