canberra.bike
Farrer or Eddison Park Nature Play playgrounds were introduced in the last post and riding there is discussed here. Farrer is surrounded by other suburbs and a great place for a playground. Woden town centre is tricky with kids and an island to itself.
Canberra.bike recommends Komoot for cycle navigation in Canberra.
Nature Play was a puzzle to me. Canberra.bike reviews the Nature Play playgrounds in Farrer and Woden. What I like best about Farrer is not part of the Nature Play concept. If we want children to explore the world, we have to accept that it involves a certain level of calculated risk. Urban “cotten wool” children will miss out on learning opportunities that others close to nature have.
The Canberra bike stores are fewer, bigger and more competitive. They will usually price match. Bike stores just want the sale. Kids grow fast, and once an enthusiastic cyclist, then always a cyclist. They know you will be back. Pricing for kids bikes starts from $200 and goes up to about $500.
Play spaces are popping up all over Canberra. Canberra.bike provided a guide to play spaces and this is now updated in this post. A recent announcement by Chris Steel in May 2020 reminded us that there is more to come. Some were already in last years budget but a few have been brought forward as a result of COVID-19 playground closures. There is good news here for everybody.
Playgrounds are of great interest for many. They are certainly a great ride destination with children. Between 2015-2018 many of the playgrounds where reviewed on Weekend Notes. There a links to playground reviews below.
Play Spaces, the large playgrounds that are so loved, are becoming more common. They are a great destination for a ride. The ACT Government is investing millions in them as part of urban renewal. Where did this idea come from? The RiotACT discussed this in 2018. A link to the article is found below.
The ACT Government has an urban renewal program that includes the whole of Canberra. Check out the projects close to where you live on the interactive map. The projects include playgrounds. Canberra.bike discussed the renewal of playgrounds here recently.
“Play space upgrades
As part of the ACT Government’s Better Suburbs Program, a community-led Play Spaces Forum allocated $1.9 million to improve playgrounds. One key decision was the allocation of $350,000 for new nature play spaces to enhance Eddison Park in Woden and Glebe Park in the City. $150,000 was also set aside to build a nature play space in Farrer. Read all about the new nature play spaces here.”
Play space upgrades, ACT Government, accessed 25 June 2020
Sutherland Crescent Central Community Playground is the official name of a place that should be called, with a little mystery, The Castle. The ramparts have collapsed to mounds around a courtyard filled with treasures. Enter across the drawbridge under the tower and discover the secrets.
“On the south wall overlooking the plain, a man, by some magic, had created a marvel that flew like a bird and howled with great intensity.”
Stories of a Traveller (MMXX AD)
Moncrieff is a new suburb in the north.
The Taylor estate is opposite on the other side of Horse Park Drive. This area is quite flat and the bike infrastructure is good. The estate planning in Gungahlin has worked out well for cyclists. All the more puzzling why the estate planning in Molonglo Valley, which started later, has been so patchy. One of the successes of urban planning in Gungahlin is certainly the Moncrieff Community Recreation Park Playground. It is also known as “Move at Moncrief”.
With young children, a lot of time is spent looking for a toilet. Public toilets are essential infrastructure for families. Taking your children to a public place means you will need a public toilet. Ride with kids and there is no quick way home. Without a toilet, a visit to the playground will end as soon as your child needs to go.
