Parks are the green lungs of our urban jungles and for a mom with a toddler, a lifeline.

If you spend enough time at a park you will get to know its culture and make new friends at the same time.

There’s the dog walking circuit, the exercise bunnies, the moms with prams, the sweaty football players, the families who play cricket together, the maids on lunch break having a gossip… and the list goes on.

Everyone so different, yet all finding what they need at the park.

Before having Daniël I had no idea how important our town’s parks were.

But thinking back some of my fondest childhood memories centre around visiting Townsend Park with my parents and friends.

Riding bikes together, climbing the tress (and falling out of them) and birthday parties under the trees.

Now that I am a regular park visitor once again (they keep us sane), I have had the opportunity to suss out what I like about each one.

1. Townsend park

When the circus is in town this is where you will find them.

This is the largest, most popular park in Ballito.

On any given Saturday there are half a dozen children riding bikes, dogs being walked and families picnicking under the shade of the many large trees that surround the park.

While there is no play ground equipment there is so much to do!

Join the ladies playing action netball, the fitness nuts from FitClub, the footy fans or simply enjoy a pleasant walk in the shade of the park’s many indigenous trees.

There is plenty of space to run and play at Townsend Park.

Facilities:

• One tennis court (not in the best condition and missing a net but still useable).
• One action netball/cricket court and one Footy court, available for use through Footy Ballito.
• The Scout Hall, managed by the Ballito Lions, is available for hire.
• No playground equipment

2. Hillary Drive Park

This tiny gem is one of our best local parks.

The huge fig trees cast plenty of shade and are excellent for climbing.

Swings, a round-a-bout and a seesaw make this the perfect hangout for parents with young children.

If you go exploring you will even find a pretty cool rope swing that somone has hung in one of the enormous trees.

While almost completely surrounded by complexes the only downside is that the park has one thoroughfare that results in an annoying amount of litter (we usually embark on a quick clean-up before enjoying the otherwise incredibly beautiful woodland).

Facilities:

• Playground
• Plenty of excellent climbing trees
• Easy access at the intersection between Edna Place and Hillary Drive.

3. The skate park

Growning up this was where all the cool kids hung out.

The skateboard bowl, on the corner of Hillary Drive and Dolphin Cresent, is only a short walk from Willard Beach and is still a favourite with our teens.

A few years ago the bowl was renovated and lights and a fence were put up to improve security at the park.

Facilities

• Skateboard bowl
• Swings

4. Gifford Park

While not technically in Ballito this lovely park is the only one really worth mentioning in Salt Rock.

There’s a swing, jungle gym and skateboard ramp, and plenty of space for kids to kick a ball or ride a bike.

Facilities

• Swing, jungle gym and skateboard ramp