Crown Street Stables Community Cafe & Playground

The Crown Street Stables Community Cafe in Flemington opened its doors on Wednesday 4th March. Little Miss and I checked it out yesterday along with the new playground! The beautiful building was built in 1886 and was initially designed to house horses (hence the reference to Stables). Over the years it has been refurbished and recently the tender to run the café was handed to the Aged & Disability Services team from the Moonee Valley City council. The intention for the café is for it to be a community hub for residents of Moonee Valley and for it to provide affordable home-style meals to the community.

The playground was a nice surprise on our visit. Little Miss spent most of her time climbing, running down the little hill, going down the slide, riding the little horses and playing on the large swing and in the cubby house. There is also a large spider climbing frame for older kids as well as benches and sun lounge chairs around the playground. 

After a play, little Miss and I headed inside the beautiful old building for a quick lunch. The café has a relax feel to it with an open kitchen, community art work on display, new furniture as well as a large chalkboard for little ones which little Miss loved. There is one highchair and ample space for prams inside & outside. There are also toilets and a change table in the disabled toilets available for use. 

Overall, little Miss and I enjoyed both the café & playground at Crown Street Stables. Members of the community were enjoying themselves too. It wasn't crowded and little Miss made a new friend and told me she had fun as we were leaving, so we will be back soon!

Crown Street Stables Community cafe & playground is located at 40 Crown Street in Flemington. Recently launched by Mayor Cr Narelle Sharpe and Community Chef spokesperson and celebrity chef Gabriel Gaté. For more info head to the Moonee Valley Council's Crown Street page.

Note: The playground has minimal shading so don't forget bub's hat & sunscreen. Although the council website has opening hours Monday to Friday, council has now confirmed that the cafe is now opened from 10am to 4pm 7 days a week. As the café has just opened, the facility is waiting on EFTPOS facilities so it is CASH only at present. A freezer will be installed soon so little Miss didn't get her much loved milkshake or iced chocolate however babycinos are available and a hot chocolate milk was offered. There is parking outside the café & playground however restrictions apply during events at the showgrounds & the racecourse, council has now confirmed that it is the case and advises that parking is available near Safeway on Racecourse Rd or to pick days when there are no events on.

> For more playgrounds, go to our dedicated page.