With a well-stocked library, a Toy Library, a fabulous cafe and cafe dining area, plus a calendar of family-friendly events, you hardly need another reason to visit East Maitland Library. But now there’s another – a fully-fenced and partly-shaded playground to the rear of the library building!
Well-suited to babies and toddlers, the playground at Green Hills Gardens Park is the perfect meeting place for those with bubs, little runners, or parents and carers juggling more than one small child.
Park your car in the library carpark off Garnett Road and access the playground either through the cafe (during opening hours) or via the wide footpaths running from the entrance to around the side of the building.
The large, partly shaded and fully-fenced playground is best suited to babies, toddlers and early primary-aged kids, but there’s some equipment here to keep older kids entertained as well.
The cute play structure will be an instant drawcard for the littlies. There’s low, wide ramp access to the platform, which forms the top of a small, plastic slide.
There’s plenty of sensory activities to hold short attention spans, including a play clock, noughts and crosses, a xylophone, swinging hammocks and an activity board where little hands can ‘post’ bark woodchips and watch them fall through to the other side.
There’s also the smallest climbing wall I’ve ever seen. Super cute!
Swings include a baby/toddler swing, a regular swing, and a group swing, with soft fall underfoot. The swings and the play structure are shaded by two large shade sails.
For kids a little older, there’s timber balancing logs and poles and a spinner. The spinner can fit multiple kids at once and also has soft fall underfoot.
Bigger kids will also enjoy the ninja cube featuring climbing walls, a climbing net, and monkey bars.
All ages will love the large, colourful rocker.
There’s a bench and an uncovered picnic table inside the fenced area, and one covered picnic table outside the fenced area. In a peaceful setting, surrounded by tall gum trees, and a wonderful array of wild birdlife, it’s a lovely spot to enjoy lunch.
Take a packed lunch or grab something from the Honest Vine Cafe attached to the library. They’re open Monday to Friday from 8am until 3.30pm and Saturdays from 8am until 2pm. It’s also a convenient place to pick up a takeaway coffee and sweet treat to enjoy while the kids play safely in the fenced area.
If the weather turns, the library and the Toy Library are a great backup option.
Good to know
The playground is best suited to babies, toddlers and early primary-aged children (approx. 0–8 years). There is some equipment for older kids too, including a ninja cube with climbing walls, a climbing net and monkey bars.
The playground is behind East Maitland Library, accessed from the library carpark off Garnett Road, East Maitland, NSW. You can reach it through the Honest Vine Cafe during opening hours, or via the wide footpaths that run from the entrance around the side of the building.
Yes. The playground is fully fenced, which makes it a good option for families with babies, little runners or more than one small child.
Partly. Two large shade sails cover the swings and the main play structure. The spinner, balancing logs and ninja cube are not under the sails. Tall gum trees surround the park.
Yes. The public toilets, located at East Maitland Library, include toilets, accessible toilets, and drinking water.
No.
Yes. Inside the fenced area there is a bench and an uncovered picnic table. There is also one covered picnic table outside the fence.
No.
Mostly, yes. The carpark features disabled parking spotd, and wide footpaths lead from the carpark entrance to the playground, and the main play structure has a low, wide ramp up to the platform, so it works well for prams and little ones who are just starting to climb.
Yes. Honest Vine Cafe is attached to the library, so you can grab a coffee or something sweet and keep an eye on the kids from the fenced area. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3.30pm and Saturdays from 8am to 2pm.
Find on map
Want more things to do around the East Maitland area? Here’s some inspiration: