Gross Street Reserve Playground might be a playground you’ve yet to discover. Hidden away in a tranquil bush reserve setting, you’d be forgiven for thinking you weren’t only metres from busy Industrial Drive in Tighes Hill.
With lots of play equipment to keep kids busy as well as a toddler area, undercover picnic tables and plenty of shade, this serene playground is well worth a visit and is a perfect spot to catch up with other parents and carers.
Gross Street Reserve playground is hidden at the back of the reserve, behind a row of houses on George Street, Tighes Hill. To find it, park on George Street, near the Tighes Hill Community Garden, and follow the concrete path past the undercover picnic tables.
The colours and smells of the Community Garden are irresistible to kids and they’ll most likely want to spend some time exploring here first, especially if they haven’t yet spotted the playground. The Tighes Hill Community Garden is healthy and obviously lovingly cared for. When we visited in Spring there was lettuce, garlic, snow peas, chilli and more growing abundantly.
There are actually two playgrounds at Gross Street Reserve and the equipment at both is well-maintained and modern. The first, smaller playground has a balance bridge, balance rope and monkey bars and is great for older kids.
The larger playground at the back has enough equipment to keep kids entertained for hours. If you have kids who love to climb and balance they will love this playground with it’s timber balance beam, brightly-coloured balance balls, wobbly bridge, climbing wall and climbing nets.
The swings, which include a group swing, a regular swing and a baby/toddler swing, have a softfall base, making them perfect for little ones. Although the playground base is bark and woodchip, most of the equipment, including the seesaw and wobbly pole, has softfall underneath.
There’s also stairs, bridges, two slides, a fireman’s pole, a play shop and interactive boards to keep kids entertained.
The toddler area has a giant noughts and crosses, a pretend petrol bowser, a steering wheel and other pretend driving activities. This whole area is well-shaded by mature trees, with another picnic bench and bench seat nearby.
With its shaded tables, array of equipment and peaceful ambience, Gross Street Reserve Playground would be a great spot to catch up for a playdate. It’s also a lovely place to relax with a book while the kids play. I wouldn’t recommend it as being suitable for a kids birthday party being there are no barbecue facilities or public amenities.
The reserve itself is spacious enough for kids to run around and kick a ball, although the grass was a little high when we visited.
Good to Know
Address: George Street, Tighes Hill, NSW (corner street is William Street)
Ideal Age: All ages
Public Toilets: No.
Water Fountain: Yes, it is hidden between the playgrounds and the undercover tables at the very edge of the reserve.
Picnic Facilities: 2 x undercover picnic tables and 1 x uncovered picnic table.
BBQ: No.
Parking: On-street parking on George Street.
Nearby Cafe: No. Grab a takeaway coffee from Praise Joe or Between Kings & Queens on your way.
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