Best playgrounds in Woollahra
Plumb Reserve is the Woollahra playground to pick for toddlers and for children who need accessible swings, since its whole play area sits inside a fence. Elm's Reserve and Pat Thompson Park come next, each with a different kind of play space: a small enclosed park for young kids, and a shady, grassed area for preschool and primary-school children.
Quick picks
- Toddlers and accessible play: Plumb Reserve has a fully fenced playground with a toddler swing and accessible swings.
- Small and enclosed: Elm's Reserve keeps its playground inside a small fenced park, with swings, a multi-seesaw and a spinner.
- Shade and gardens: Pat Thompson Park's grassed play area sits beneath shady trees, right beside Holdsworth Community Centre.
Plumb Reserve for toddlers and accessible play
- Fully fenced
- Shade
- Parking
- Accessible play
Plumb Reserve has a fully fenced, inclusive playground, so it is the strongest pick here for toddlers and for children who need accessible play. Older children are catered for too, with monkey bars, slides, springers and a sandstone climbing wall. Younger children have a toddler swing, and the accessible options include a boat-style swing and the roundabout. The playground is shaded, and the reserve also has picnic tables and a water fountain. Parking for drivers with a disability sits on Fletcher Street, and it is kept for playground users. Elm's Reserve is fenced too, but its play area is a small park with swings, a seesaw and a spinner.
Best for: Toddlers, and kids who need accessible swings or a roundabout
Elm's Reserve for young kids in a small enclosed park
- Fully fenced
- Shade
- Parking
Elm's Reserve is the compact choice, with its children's playground inside a small fenced park on Kilminster Lane. Two swings, a multi-seesaw and a gyro spinner give the youngest children several things to try inside the fence. Parents get benches and listed shade right beside the play space. Like Plumb Reserve, the play area is fenced, but it's a much smaller park with a shorter list of equipment. Street parking is limited nearby, so give yourself time to find a spot.
Best for: Young kids who need a compact, fully enclosed play space
Pat Thompson Park for preschool and primary-school kids
- Shade
- Parking
Pat Thompson Park is the shady pick, with a grassed play area beneath trees and lush gardens. Its playground is aimed at preschool and primary-school children, and park benches let parents sit down while the children play. It's a calm spot for a slow morning with little ones. Holdsworth Community Centre sits next door, and street parking is the only option.
Best for: Preschool and primary-school kids who like a shady, garden setting
How the playgrounds compare
By area
Every playground in and near Woollahra
Ranked by how well they suit young families, the rows put the picks first, then the rest, then the nearby playgrounds.
| Park | Fenced | Shade | Toilets | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Plumb Reserve | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| 2.Elm's Reserve | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| 3.Pat Thompson Park | – | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| 4.Harbourview Park | – | ✓ | – | – |
| Nearby, outside Woollahra | ||||
| Clementson Park · Bondi Junction | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| Cooper Park · Bellevue Hill | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| St James Reserve · Bondi Junction | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Epping Reserve · Double Bay | ✗ | – | – | ✓ |
How we picked
We compared each playground on fencing, shade, toilets, BBQs, accessible play and size, then ranked the parks by how many of these their pages show. Plumb Reserve, Elm's Reserve and Pat Thompson Park came out on top: Plumb and Elm's are fenced, and all three have shade and parking. Harbourview Park is in the table too, with a shaded playground and a mini court. A dash in the table means the park's own page doesn't say, and it doesn't count against the park.
FAQ
Is there a fenced playground in Woollahra?
Yes, Plumb Reserve has a fully fenced, inclusive playground, and the play area at Elm's Reserve sits inside a small fenced park. Plumb's fence takes in the whole play area, toddler swings and accessible equipment included.
Which Woollahra playground has accessible swings?
Plumb Reserve has an accessible boat-style swing and an accessible roundabout, both inside its fully fenced playground. A toddler swing and a birds-nest net swing sit alongside them.
Is there shade at a Woollahra playground?
Yes, Plumb Reserve's playground is shaded, and Elm's Reserve has listed shade areas beside its play space. Pat Thompson Park's playground also sits beneath shady trees.
Which Woollahra playground is best for preschoolers?
Pat Thompson Park is the playground aimed at preschoolers and primary-school kids, with benches close by for grown-ups. Its entrances are on Holdsworth Street and Morrell Street.