By: Alex Harmon, ellaslist

If you're an apartment-dwelling inner-westie like me then chances are you spend A LOT of time in playgrounds. My son and I are always on the hunt for a new park in our area so we can balance out our backyard-less existence and enjoy the sunshine and green grass (that we don't have to mow). The inner-west is blessed with beautiful parks with adventurous new playgrounds to climb on, BBQs to cook on and beautiful trees to picnic under. Here is a list of our favourite playgrounds... and where to get that other thing the inner west does so well - coffee!

Marrickville Park Playground

This could be the inner west's best kept secret! This little park was given a major refurb about a year ago but still remains a local hangout. It's got in-ground trampolines (that the adults love bouncing on too), a climbing structure and slide, a toddler cubby house, paths for bike riding, an outdoor gym and BBQs. Plus really great coffee across the road. Just lacks shade at certain times of the day, so be prepared with hats and sunscreen. 

 

Enmore Park Playground

An old favourite of ours, and a great hang out after you go for a splash at Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre. We especially love the rocket slide and there are great bike paths surrounding the park. Grab a coffee at nearby Petty Cash Cafe and make a day of it - oh and the Magic Yellow Bus Mobile Playgroup visits every Thursday from 9.30am to 12.30pm. 

 

Strathfield Park Playground

It's brand new, huge and we just love how much shade there is! Strathfield Park is famous for its three giant, twirling slides that come out of climbing towers plus cubby house slides for the little ones and synthetic hills for scaling. There are musical instruments to play and distorted mirrors to make everyone laugh. The only thing this park lacks is a cafe, but there's lots of space for picnicking so BYO thermos! 

 

Petersham Park

A stunning park and sports ground with an aquatic centre and visits from the Magic Yellow Bus on Monday mornings. A bandstand for kids' parties, BBQ areas and plenty of shade for picnics. The playground itself is large and split up into different age groups. Lots of history in this park including the cricket oval where Don Bradman made his first class debut. A cafe called Bread and Stone faces onto the playground so little ones can run free while you sip. 

 

Sydenham Green

A playground with something for everyone including a brand new skate park, outdoor fitness gym, basketball court, BBQs and a fully fenced dog area. We especially love the 'living room' sculptures that pay tribute to the park's past residents - your kids will love climbing on these. Oh and the planes fly super close to this park - so take your little plane spotters for some live action! Grab a coffee from one of several cafes on Railway Road before you perch. 

 

Sydney Park, St Peters

Pretty much the mecca for inner west playground goers! Sydney Park has everything and more. Superslides, sand-play, loads of swings, synthetic hill climbs, a huge dog walking area, a cafe and miles of paths for exploring on bikes, scooters or on foot. We find something new here every time we go. Take a picnic and search for the duck pond or bring the bikes and make tracks for the purpose built learners cycleway, complete with real roads, streets and fully working traffic lights. 

 

Image via Daily Telegraph

Burwood Park Playground

An oldie but a goodie- especially as the playground is gated! Locals love hanging out around the oversized chess board or bike riding around the wide pathways. The playground is large and traditional with slides, swings, see saw, flying fox and lots of shade. And the new(ish) cafe, The Picnic (pictured above), provides the best coffee and snacks in town, according to our sources. 

 

Hinsby Park, Annandale

Okay fine, we love this one because of its cafe, don't judge us! The new addition of Cornersmith Cafe had us heading to the playground after devouring the homemade pickles and charcoal bread. The playground is simple, but effective, and there's lots of shade and grassy areas for picnics - so grab a specially made DIY picnic box and enjoy the fresh air. 

Please let us know in the comments if you've found a special inner west playground that we haven't listed!