Cadness Reserve Playground

Small playground, big reserve

Cadness Reserve Playground sits behind Northcote Library, tucked into the open grounds of Cadness Reserve. The play equipment itself is minimal, but the reserve is generous in size and the surrounding open space makes a real difference.

There is plenty of room for a frisbee, a casual kick-around, or simply letting the kids run. A few adult exercise stations are scattered around the perimeter, and a well-paved path loops the entire reserve, making this a strong option for pram walks and equally easy if kids want to bring scooters or bikes.

Construction-phase feel (for now)

When we visited in May 2026, the surrounding area was in the middle of a significant construction project. It appears to be a substantial redevelopment of the reserve, and likely something worth revisiting once complete, but right now the hoardings and building activity give the place a slightly unsettled atmosphere.

There were fewer people around than expected, with a bit of noise and dust in the air. It is not unpleasant during the day, but we would not recommend visiting late in the afternoon, as it feels more isolated once the light fades.

It is also worth noting that by the time redevelopment is complete, this playground in its current form may well be gone. If you want to see it as it is now, sooner is probably better than later.

Know Before You Go

Parking is straightforward: the nearby Savemart Northcote car park is usually quiet and has plenty of space. Northcote also has a good range of food options close by, so it is easy to turn a playground stop into a proper outing.