The Caro guide to play

There are many things the City of Sydney does well, but playgrounds might be one of its best wins. Moving here with two toddlers, I’ve spent years in sandpits, pushing swings and going down slides across the city. The choice of playground for us was determined by shade, banana bread and babychino proximity, and the promise of a flying fox or a water feature. Now those toddlers are teenagers, taller than me and mostly attached to their phones and yet we still can’t walk past a great playground without a detour. Proof perhaps that playing doesn’t grow old, or good design works. If you find yourself in Sydney, then Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, Pirrama Park, Pyrmont and Sydney Park are my family’s top three.

Dominique Broomfield, associate consultant (Australia)

For the past 18 months, I’ve been volunteering at a local adventure playground in Stoke Newington. Like many others, this one occupies a WWII bomb site and provides time and space for local children to run around, engaging in unrestricted and self-structured play while overseen by a troupe of dedicated playworkers. On the weekends, parents can join in, and sometimes, there’s a bonfire to celebrate someone’s special day. 

Populated by spindly structures reminiscent of Constant’s New Babylon, there are swings and slides and ladders and platforms, and even a folly or two courtesy of ARUP’s corporate away days. Their endless configurations invite collective play and cooperation, as well as an outlet for children’s wilder, more destructive instincts – such as when a plastic ride-on car was sacrificed, again and again, to test the force of gravity. Play here is joyful and fulfilling, but it can come with scraped knees and muddy trousers. And yet, every week without fail, we welcome our young regulars who, despite the occasional bumps and bruises, come to experience a freedom that is so hard to find elsewhere.

Peter Smisek, content editor

Aside from puddles, there are just not enough spaces for children to splash around in London, and you can’t just whizz off to the seaside every time the sun comes out. Waterplay done well, where safety comes foremost, the water is clean, and there is green space available, is the sweet spot for creating an environment where children and adults can play and relax together. Elephant Springs in Elephant Park is an unexpectedly lush spot in the middle of Elephant & Castle, South East London, with pumps and jets and streams running over rock formations that will keep kids engaged for hours. All you need to do is pack the swimmers and the snacks.

Rachel Calton, content director

Located in the heart of Haringey and bordering the Broadwater Farm Estate is Lordship Recreation Ground. This park has it all, from a café and picnic area to a playground and paddling pool, and even a BMX track and skate park. It’s a space where people of all ages congregate for play, exercise and socialising. 

Having lived in the neighbourhood for many years, I have spent a great deal of time in this park going on walks and runs in the wooded area and around the meadows, and also just sitting in the grass, enjoying the summer sun and taking in the expansive sky and great views of Alexandra Palace in the distance. It’s a well-loved park, brimming with vitality – courtesy of the great local community.

Jade Verbick, account manager

Kennington Oval Reimagined was initially launched by Lambeth Council as a trial traffic order to encourage active travel and provide a safe, playful space for residents and schoolchildren in the area. After successfully achieving their goals and with local support, the project has been made permanent.

I first stumbled across this oasis when searching for the nearby gas holder on a summer day. Bowling Green Street is decorated with bright pavement murals, log seats, lush planters and two ping pong tables. The next day, I bought a set of paddles and balls on sale at Sports Direct and called my friend who lived in the area. We stayed until the sun went down, and we could no longer see the ping pong ball in the darkness.

Spencer Lu, marketing executive