Orenco Woods Nature Park: a playground made of stream, sand and logs

Orenco Woods Nature Park is not a park with a playground in it. The playground is made of the landscape: a stream, sand, and climbing structures built from logs and nets rather than moulded plastic.

That difference changes how children play. Equipment tends to suggest one correct use — you go up the steps and down the slide. A stream and a pile of sand suggest nothing in particular, which is precisely why children stay at them longer. Expect the visit to run longer than you planned, and expect to be shown things.

There are also trails, so the park works as a walk as well as a destination. For a family with a child who has just started walking any distance, a trail with a genuine reward at the end of it is more useful than a trail alone.

What to think about before you go. Water and sand mean wet and sandy children — this is a change-of-clothes park, not a smart-clothes park. Log and net climbers suit confident climbers better than the very youngest, who may want a hand. If you are pushing a stroller, trail surfaces vary, so it is worth checking what is paved before committing to a long loop.

Best for: children who invent their own games, families who want a walk and a playground in one trip, and anyone tired of the same climbing frame.