Where are the best public parks in Melbourne?

I grew up in the south-east and the parks I loved as a kid include:

- Jells Park in Wheelers Hill. It has 2 big playgrounds, public toilets and loads of free gas BBQs and picnic tables. They also have great walking and cycling paths.

- Bicentennial Park in Chelsea is a great one for kids. It has 2 massive slides, a giant swing, sand pit, a Smurf Village and a flying fox. It also has free sheltered BBQs and picnic tables. It backs onto the Edithvale wetlands which has great trails for walking the dog and bike riding.
There's also a food truck festival currently at Bicentennial Park https://melbournefoodfestivals.com.au/event/melbourne-street-eatz-chelsea/

- Lysterfield Lake Park is wonderful for BBQs, mountain bike riding, swimming, paddle boating, sailing and hiking. It's open from 8am to 7pm.

- St Kilda Adventure Playground (tucked off Neptune St). It features a flying fox, massive slides, trampolines, a wooden maze and a giant ship & castle. You can make bookings for bigger parties and has a BBQ and picnic area

Central Reserve in Glen Waverley is a good one. Theres a lot of sports facilities there, including a big skate park, but also BBQs and a good playground.

In the same area Federal Reserve is more of a bushland park with a big off leash dog area and bike trail plus picnic tables and a playground.

For something a bit different again, the Glen Iris Wetlands near the Monash Freeway and Gardiners Creek feature some interesting interactive displays about the local ecology, plus BBQs and play equpiment.

If you're talking CBD then there are many parks around but I don't think anywhere offers free BBQs. There's a coin operated BBQ at Batman Park across the river from the casino but most CBD parks just offer benches, play areas, toilets and of course beautiful views. Flagstaff Gardens (top end of King St) is smallish but has plenty of shady spots to sit in plus a playground. Carlton Gardens (Museum/Imax/old exhibition building) is bigger and has better facilities (playgrounds, basketball court etc) out behind the Museum but I can't remember seeing any BBQs there. Then you've got Treasury Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens down the bottom end of Spring Street which are quite large and have many picnic spots and sites to see. There's a playground, cafe and even a miniature Tudor village and "fairy tree" near the center of Fitzroy Gardens which the kids would enjoy. Hope that helps!

Here's somewhere I keep meaning to visit, has anyone been? What's it like?
They've actually created a gnome village in Keilor. I need to get out the west side more often.

I found this article for reference.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/gnome-village-in-keilor-park-has-a-growing-band-of-supporters/news-story/c39ee3e7e94549fe834565dd48f090d8

My kids love the park on Birrarung Marr in the city as well as Hays Paddock in East Kew both have BBQ's and toilet facilities.

Bicentennial Park in Chelsea is fabulous as is Rosebud Foreshore id you are down on the Mornington peninsula again with BBQ's and toilet facilities.

You can't go wrong with St Kilda Botanical Gardens!

With plenty of space for activities, shade, bbq and play equipment the St Kilda Botans is your one stop shop for Australia day antics.

It's also very close to Acland, which has everything you need to ensure a good day is had.

If you are talking about a suburb that has a lot of good parks for me it'd be Seaford or CBD

Also check out Box Hill Gardens; very modern and equipped with BBQs, seats, playground, running tracks.

Banksia Park next to Heidi Museum in Bulleen is great.
Or Fawkner Park in South Yarra

Albert Park is my favorite park. This park is popular for a range of activities like jogging, dog walking, cycling, sailing and rowing.

I would say Fitzroy Gardens is one of my favs. park