Hamilton Recreation Reserve

Damn, this is one fancy suburban park. They don’t make parks like this on the south side. Since becoming a full time mummy, my sister has become an expert on Brisbane parks. She could tell you which park is suitable for different age group, which park has the cleanest BBQ areas or has the most shade or has easy parking or has the best slides.
It’s a real eye opener tagging along and watching how kids interact with the playground. Whoever designed the Hamilton playground has thought of everything. There are three different designated play areas. One area is clearly for toddlers because the steps are low enough for them to climb up and there are simple slides and seesaws low to the ground. There’s an adventure style playground for the older kids (and short adults like me!) with a climbing net and flying foxes.
What I was most impressed with was the miniature road set. My nephew was worried that it was a ‘real road’ and pronounced in a sing song voice that I should get off the road. Once I explained it was a ‘pretend road’, he happily raced around the track on a pretend motorbike breaking all the road rules but at least giving way to pedestrians.
There’s an off-​leash dog area attached to the park. This looks like gambolling doggy fun with an obstacle course for the bigger dogs.
And when you’re tired of running around, pop across the road to Portside for a coffee and cake.