James Meehan Playground, Dee Why

James Meehan Playground

James Meehan Playground  is hidden under some big trees close to the Dee Why Lagoon. While it is visible from the road and from the big council car park I hadn’t examined it until recently. 

The Playground isn’t new but it’s lovely albeit a little tired. It’s also so quiet now that there is the big new Walter Gors but we all know the problems with that playground. 

 

 

Where is James Meehan Playground

 

Location

 

The James Meehan Playground is behind Dee Why Beach and alongside Dee Why Lagoon.

The Playground is across the council car park from the Surf Life Saving Club.

The closest intersection to the playground is Richmond Avenue and Clyde Road. At the end of both those roads, where they meet is where the Reserve is and the playground is in that reserve along Clyde.

 

Parking

There is plenty of metered council parking in the parking lot behind the Surf Life Saving Club. There is also a smaller car parking area down Richmond Avenue and on street parking on Clyde Road, Dee Why.

 

 

James Meehan Playground Features

 

The main feature of the playground is this giant wooden boat with a mast and a lookout cabin – I’m sure there is a technical term for that. You can also crawl through it and hide under it. It’s big but not too big to make it impossible for little kids to climb around it. 

While I think that was the intended main feature for us the drawcard is this cool little car structure.Little kids can climb in and out of it and sit in it. It’s not high off the ground and it has all sorts of cool aspects to it that make it seem like a real “imaginary car”.

 

There is also a jungle gym structure that has a slide and a climbing net attached to it.

Of course, no Australian playground is complete without those little rockers so it has one of those.

There is also:

  • a big rocking horse
  • one of those round things that whirl round that you can sit on. I have no idea what that is
  • a funny moving balancing beam

 

I would say that there are some elements of natural playground as there are rocks to climb over and balance on. 

 

A great feature of this playground is that it is quite big so the kids could easily kick a ball around without getting in anyone’s way. It is also flat so the kids could bring their bikes and scooters in.

James Meehan Playground Facilities

 

The playground is enclosed so you don’t have to worry about potential escapees. There is also a lot of shade around. The playground has some big trees around it and there is a shade cover over some of the equipment.

There are picnic benches and seating throughout the playground. Some of which is covered.

The nearest bathrooms are the ones in the Surf Life Saving Club.

What’s near the Playground?

 

Well there is the beach but before you even get to the beach there is a massive piece of grass alongside the lagoon. It is a great place to run around, throw a ball, have a picnic or fly a kite. 

 

If you’re after a swim you can try the beach or the awesome beach pools at the other end of the beach. 

 

For food and drinks or a coffee, there is a huge selection of places to visit along the beach front. My favourite place is on the way to the beach pools, Dee Why Beach Shed

 

There are so many great playgrounds on Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches it can be hard to choose where to go. Here’s some great suggestions, we’ve visited. 

 

Green Street Park Playground in Brookvale

St Ives Wildflower Garden Playground

Balmoral Beach Playground

Greengate Park, Killara

Collaroy Beach Playground

Berry Island Reserve, Wollstonecraft

Walter Gors Park and Playground in Dee Why

Wahroonga Park Playground

Green Street Playground, Brookvale