St Ives Showgrounds Playground 

The Playgrounds at the St Ives Showgrounds

After living less than 5 kms away for 10 months we decided we should give this trike track a try. We set off with balance bike and scooter in the boot, as you do with a three year old (they will change their mind once they’ve got there and then scream like you’ve run over their foot with the car).

 

There are 3 different playgrounds and its a perfect place to spend a morning or an afternoon with young kids. Just make sure to pick up a coffee on the way and take your own food to feed the kids.

Where are the Showgrounds

The showgrounds are set off Mona Vale road between Richmond Road, St Ives and Forest Way Terry Hills.

Going East along Mona Vale Road

If you see Bunnings on the right you’ve gone to far.

Coming west along Mona Vale Road

If you hit St Ives suburbia or the sign that said 60kms you’ve gone too far.

 Where is St Ives Showgrounds

 

Inside St Ives Showgrounds

At first we couldn’t figure out where to go. There are quite a few parks within the Showgrounds and it’s a big place. Lucky for you I found the below map online!     St Ives Showgrounds Map

 

The Three Playgrounds

I counted three separate playgrounds.

 

Playground 1

The first is at the entrance on the left. Benches and tables allow you to have a picnic here but it is quite close to the entrance which means there are cars coming and going and isn’t well fenced off.
St Ives Showgrounds Playgrounds

 

Playground 2

The second is the one with the trike park, also has picnic tables and chairs.

 

The trike track is okay, it’s not made up with different sign posts and sections (like the Hallstrom Park or Brightmore Reserve) but it does wind around the playground grounds.

 

This playground is enclosed by a wooden fence but there are gaps in the fence which your escape artist could get through if they wanted to so be careful. The playground isn’t the best but it is enough entertainment for the kids when coupled with the trike path.

 

Opposite Playground 2 is the ‘model aeroplane flying arena’. Can you handle it. You can ride your bike or scooter, climb a play set or tree and still watch model aeroplane a being flown. How amazing is that for a threenager or any boy for that matter!?

 Playgrounds in St Ives, Playgrounds in Terry Hills, Sydneys North Shore
(excuse the poor quality of the picture)

 

Playground 3

The third playground is as you leave the showgrounds and tucked into the woods somewhat.

 

From a cursory inspection this looks like the nicest of the three playgrounds by far. We didn’t get to spend much time here as we had used all our energy at the second playground. If you have visited please drop a note on Facebook, in the comments below, Twitter or Instagram. I would love to hear your views.

St Ives Showgrounds Playgrounds

St Ives Showgrounds Facilities

Picnic Spots

In addition to the playgrounds there are also lots of little picnic spots. To extend your visit to the playground you can combine it with a picnic. It’ll make you feel like you’re a million miles away from suburbia.

 

Bathrooms

The only problem with the showgrounds is the distance between the playgrounds and the toilets. There seems to be only one set of toilets near the exit which is a loooong way to go from any of the playgrounds.

 

On the way out we drove past some dogs being taught in the ‘dog ring’ proof that you never know what fun you might stumble on here. With two dog lovers who can’t get enough of the Hairy Maclairy book series we had to stop and watch the awesomeness.