Hillsborough Play Park

Locals know this one’s a bit of a gem — the park sits right on the edge of Hillsborough Forest, so you can let the kids loose on the equipment and then head straight onto the trails if you’ve got energy to burn. There’s a solid mix of stuff to keep different ages happy: slides, swings, a climbing structure, a merry-go-round, and even a maze that the little ones absolutely lose their minds over (in a good way). The picnic tables get used constantly on dry days, and honestly the whole place is kept in decent nick — not one of those spots where half the equipment is cordoned off with tape. Parking’s right there, which makes life easy when you’re hauling a toddler and a bag of snacks. Good for ages one through to around eight, after that they’ll probably tell you they’re too cool for it.