Owairaka Park, Owairaka

A flying fox and some wacky-designed equipment that looks more interesting than it is fun to play on.
A set of 12-sided blocks with climbing holds was too difficult for my 2 1/2 year old. there is a small slide and several swings and rotating structures that didn't raise much interest for my son. A flying fox is always fun and was the highlight of this playground. This park one was busy on a Sunday afternoon with a lot of people hanging out there but not necessarily using the equipment for much more than a seat to sit on. The surroundings were uninteresting but it is a new park and may look better as trees grow.

Toilets: nearby
Surroundings: 2/5
Challenge: 3/5
Attention: 30 minutes

Western Park, Freeman's Bay

A dog walking park. Flying Fox and seven slides. That's right - seven!

St Mary's Reserve

St Mary's Road, St Mary's Bay.
2 swings.
That's all!
Shady and quiet.

Cox's Creek Reserve

Cox's Creek Reserve, West End Road, Westmere.

Coyle Park

Coyle Park, at the end of Point Chevalier Road, Pt Chevalier.

Mangawhau

Corner of Clive Road and Normanby Road, Grafton/Mt Eden

Bellevue Reserve

Bellevue Reserve, Bellevue Road, Mount Eden.

2 swings, a small slide, see saw, a spinning seat, a small climbing/hanging structure.
Pretty lame but on a quiet street which is pleasant. I don't like the spinning seat but my son did. Not much to do here but enough to pass 30 minutes in a quiet setting.

Variety 3/5.
Challenge 2/5.
Condition 2/5
Location 4/5 Quiet and shady.
Toilet No
Attention Span 30 minutes

Potters Park, Balmoral

Potters Park, Balmoral, corner of Balmoral Road and Dominions Road

8 swings, 2 slides, climbing platform, 1 see saw, a hanging structure.
A fenced off area in the worst corner of quite a nice park. Pushed up against two very busy roads doesn't make this a pleasant playground. There is a changing room beside the playground but it is worn and vandalised so you will only want to use it if desperate.


Variety 2/5.
Challenge 2/5.
Condition 2/5
Location 1/5 could have been built in a better location in the park.
Toilet Nearby
Attention Span 20 minutes

4. Mission Bay

Mission Bay beach, Mission Bay, along Tamaki Drive.
5 swings, 3 slides (2 short, 1 long), climbing wall, see saw, climbing rope area, sand play area, a couple of spinning devices.
New (early 2010) playground components in an interesting Picasoesque design.
Spongy tile base. A very popular playground which is sometimes good having people around but sometimes bad as you have to wait for a turn on the swings and climbing components.

Variety 5/5 Sand pit, climbing options, other bits and pieces.
Challenge 5/5 Good climbing options.
Condition 5/5
Location 5/5 Quite secluded even though surrounded by houses.
Toilet Nearby
Attention Span 1+ hours


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3. Upland Road

Little Rangitoto Reserve, Upland Road, Remuera.
In the reserve at Okahu Bay, along Tamaki Drive.
5 swings, 1 flying fox, 2 double slides short and medium, a rocking horse contraption, a medium-sized climbing platform, skateboard/scooter/bike bowls, paths for walking/scootering. Good variety here with a gently-sloping flying fox. A shallow and a very deep skate bowl. A few trees and hills in the landscape. Has a bark surface beneath the playground contraptions.
A popular playground.

Variety 4/5 Flying fox, climbing options.
Challenge 4/5 Good climbing options.
Condition 5/5
Location 4/5 Quite secluded even though surrounded by houses.
Toilet No
Attention Span 1 hour


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2. Okahu Bay

In the reserve at Okahu Bay, along Tamaki Drive.
6 swings (half chained, half flat seats), 1 4-way tyre swing, a flying fox, a small wooden set of platforms connected by a wobbly bridge and a curved ramp and 3 small slides, an angled turntable.
The playground is dominated by a raised ship-like hut. It is impressive but does not offer much once you have walked up he stairs and, stood at its front and gazed out over the sea. On both sides it has rope grids that can be used to climb up to the hut. The grids are quite wide apart and so are only suitable for older kids. maybe 5+. At the top of the rope grids there are no barriers so you need to make sure your kid doesn't stand too close to the edge of the 3 metre drop. The flying fox is quite fast and therefore fun. You get to pendulum up quite high when you hit the end of the line but you can drag your feet easily if you want to slow your approach before the end.

Variety 3/5 Flying fox saves this from being 2/5.
Challenge 4/5 The only climbing opportunities were on a rope grids that are too advanced for a 2-3 year old so we couldn't use them. The 4-way tyre swing was fun but needs other people of a similar weight for it to work properly. The best thing about this playground is its flying fox. It is quite steep and so goes fast which produces a strong swing at the end when the line runs out.
Condition 3/5
Location 5/5 Over the road from the sea and a beach. Great views.
Toilet No.
Attention Span 1 hour max


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1. Myers Park

In Myers Park between Upper Queen St, K Road and Greys Ave.
1 medium and 1 small slide, a large wooden set of platforms connected by tunnels, ladders and wobbly bridges, 1 see saw, 3 swings (1 chained in swing), a bus-like frame on springs, a horizontal tyre swing, 3 hand-hanging sections and several pipe structures for climbing.
A pleasant location for a playground in the middle of Auckland. The park has a bad reputation for dodgy goings on at night but is fine to visit during the day. The playground is covered in spongy tiles.

Variety 3/5 Good climbing opportunities but the hanging activities are too advanced for a 2-4 year old. Slides, swing, see saw.
Challenge 4/5 The slides are short and straight so a bit dull but the climbing pipes and wooden structure encourage lots of effort and excitement.
Condition 4/5
Location 4/5 A quiet spot in the city surrounded by tall palm trees and some lovely old buildings.
Toilet Yes - but obviously well used at night.
Attention Span 1 hour


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