Waipapa park, Hataitai

Sandpit!  Shade covers! Fully enclosed! Access to toilets and water on weekdays via attached community centre!

I spotted this park while at end of year party at the bowling club opposite the playground. It was the first 'new' park we visited on our playground challenge and it is a real find. 

Part of the reason behind the sandpit and shade sails is that the park is attached to the local Kindy. It is an excellent community space.

We were here for quite a long time. It was supposed to rain today, so the sunshine was a bonus. Luckily we had our sunhats with us and we could enjoy some good fresh air, despite not having any sunscreen with us!

I wish I'd bought a book with me as it was really lovely and tranquil. However, the children played do nicely it was quite pleasant just sitting alongside them, watching their play.

A really nice thing about this park is the two child sized picnic tables alongside the adult ones. I'm sure it is the influence of the Kindy, but it is really nice to see child sized furniture in a playground.

Centennial Park/ Miramar North Play Area

IWell, my motivation for this challenge was to learn more about Wellington. Since I didn't grow up here, I don't have a great sense of where all the playgrounds or fields are and my knowledge is very much based in Southern Wellington.

The children dubbed this 'the green park.'

They both love to hang from bars so this park took their fancy. However, we learnt that the sunscreen we are swathed in means that sliding is quite challenging - too slippery!

Not fully fenced (but pretty well enclosed.

No toilets

No water

No picnic tables

Akaroa Drive Play Area, Maupuia

Google maps does not pronounce Akaroa or Maupuia well. Still, we were determined to cover more of the Eastern playgrounds and headed out.

The children liked the pirate ship themed playground, and enjoyed the lookout binoculars greatly. My youngest said 'me hearties' a number of times.

There was a mysterious unmarked path which I wanted to explore. It was the steepest path I've encountered in a long time and the children took some persuading. I hoped that there was a lookout or something, but it was just a cut through to the next street.

There were two toddler swings, two big kid swings and s picnic table. The long green slide was very popular, unfortunately both girls were wearing shorts so burnt the back of their legs :(

Sinclair park 2

Another fantastic Wellington playground! I'm typing this under a red-festooned pohutakawa tree while two tui serenade me. So tranquil. Then I hear the kids arguing.......but only arguing 'in the game' so everything is OK!

Swings, slides, climbing walls, basketball hoop and picnic tables. You can see great efforts made by the council to restore native plants. 

There is plenty of space to run around and kick a soccer ball. The park is also the entrance to a lookout and Buckley Road reserve. The children are already plotting their return!

Southgate parks complete!

No toilets.

Not fully fenced

No water source 

Sinclair Street park.

A big, green field with adjacent hill for rolling down. Two local kids were using the soccer goals and my kids enjoyed 'exploring' - there is a small path behind a 'hidden slide.' It is a good park for throwing around a ball or flying a kite.

The playground has two swings, two see saws, a half moon jungle gym and a whirligig.

No toilets (but club rooms nearby that may open for sport)

Not fully fenced (but in a natural amphitheatre)

No seating.

Accessibility: if you have visual or physical impairments it may be challenging to get over to the playground.

Holloway Road Play Area

It is a pretty small play area! The photo below shows all the play equipment. There are two swings and a see saw.

It is rather charming though. There is a lot of shade, two picnic tables and comfy wooden seating. The gardens are well maintained. I get the feeling locals make good use of this space.

No toilets

Not fully fenced

No rubbish bins 

Krull St park

The girls needed cheering up after saying goodbye to their grandparents today so we decided to do a new park.

This is a recently restored park (no graffiti!) with a great mix of activities. There is a slow flying fox that is easy for younger kids to manage themselves.

There is a cool mesh and plastic rock climbing wall, three slides, see saw, merry go round, basketball hoop and a large grassy hill to roll down.

This park has a nice view, overlooking Island Bay and over Newtown. There are lots of trees nearby and we saw tui and wood pigeon. Very tranquil.

Toddler swing 

Child swing

Not fully fenced

No toilets

No water fountain

Picnic table

No car park (ok street parking)

Most popular activity: the Flying Fox

Nine year old ranking: 7/10

Five year old ranking: 10/10

Adult ranking: 7/10