Who’s been to visit the new playground at The Canopy Lane Cove? There is much more to this community space than just the playground, of course, with a large village green space, a stage, water play and two supermarkets on the underground level below. More cafes and restaurants will open around the area which to me looks like a modern Australian piazza.
However, the playground is the main drawcard, I have to say. It is terrific, and very popular already. It is a shock to realise that this space used to be the Rosenthal Avenue car park, what an improvement the Canopy is!
Playground for older children
There is some really fun, and quite challenging play equipment which will delight older children. The main huge play structure has vertical nets to climb, a wobbly bridge, two play areas up high, a fireman’s pole, a fab twisty slide and another smaller slide and more.
Toddlers Playground At The Canopy Lane Cove
The Canopy Playground: Details
2 Rosenthal Avenue, Lane Cove
Nearest coffee: Cafes close to the playground
Toilet: Public toilets near the playground include an adult change facility, nice to see adults with disabilities being treated equally. There is a parents room too, and you can also find toilets at the stage building by the BBQs and shelters.
Shade: Yes, from shade cloth and trees growing as fast as they can
Enclosed: No
Mum’s tip: try to go early or late… this space is already very popular and busy!
Extra: The joys of Lane Cove Aquatic Centre are not far away. The main shopping thoroughfare is right beside the Canopy too, so this makes a top spot to let the kids run wild after a shopping trip. The Canopy has its main shopping area with supermarkets below ground level; there are lifts and escalators to take you down from the open spaces and playground to the shops.
Parking: The Canopy has its own underground car park, open from 6am – 1am daily. The entrance to the car park is on the roundabout at the intersection of Rosenthal Avenue and Finlayson Street. Levels P2 and P4 offer three hours of free parking, level P1 has one hour free express parking.
The Canopy: Green Extras
Green Wall: Near the playground you will see a 20 square metre green wall covered in plants which improve air quality, so it’s practical as well as a beautiful piece of living art. This wall will also cool the air near to it in hot weather, and provides a sound barrier.
Rainwater Harvesting: rain runoff from the roof and water from the water fountain play areas are recycled to be used to irrigate the landscaping.
Solar Arbour: beside the playground is a covered walkway which is covered in innovative printed solar cells developed by the University of Newcastle. After 5pm each day, visitors can set off a display of LED lighting which is powered by these flexible and recyclable solar cells. We didn’t see this, so must go back one evening.
I hope that you have a good idea now of how very enjoyable a visit toThe Canopy playground is. The Canopy will become a central hub for local families who will be able to eat and play in this lovely open-air setting.
I love the combination of Italian piazza and Engligh Village Green, and too the efforts that have been made to use a great deal of natural materials in this urban setting.
Hope you will enjoy your visit!