Best playgrounds.
Updated: 19 April 2021
By Lynda O'D
With summer fast approaching, now is the perfect time to get out and explore the wonderful range of playgrounds around Christchurch. If you have preschool-aged children, this can sometimes be a challenge. Is the equipment too high for them to climb? What are the facilities like? Is it fenced from the road?
To help you get started, City Life has compiled a list of the ten best playgrounds for preschoolers. To make the list, they must meet the following criteria:
- There is a toilet at the playground
- The equipment is suitable for a two-year-old to enjoy
- The area is fenced or safe from busy roads
We left the following three playgrounds off the list: Margaret Mahy, New Brighton Beach, and Scarborough Park. These are the city’s crown jewels of playgrounds, and we wanted to search the suburbs to celebrate the local - and possibly unknown - hidden treasures.
List of playgrounds (alphabetical order).
(Scroll to location)
1. Abberley Park
Location: View map
This one is perfect if you're looking for a quiet spot in beautiful surroundings. On Abberley Crescent you will find the first of two playgrounds: this one has simple but modern play equipment which looks very inviting for little people.
If you explore further, you will find the second play area, with more to climb, beside a fenced paddling pool (open from mid-November to 31 March every year).
It’s a great spot to meet for a play date and a picnic. There is plenty of shade from the trees, and your kids will enjoy exploring the gardens and walking alongside the stream.
2. Barrington Park
Location: View map
This is one of our personal favourites. It has been thoughtfully designed with preschoolers and disability access in mind. A large ramp leads up to the main play structure and the equipment has an engaging, yet safe, feel to it.
A highlight is the sandpit area, complete with bucket and pulleys. There is also a large seesaw obstacle for climbing across, a climbing rock and a basket swing.
The play area opens onto a large sports field for picnicking or running around and is adjacent to the local library. Through the gate is Barrington Mall, which is handy if parking or caffeine are top priorities in your playground selection.
3. Bishopdale Park
Location: View map
The “elephant playground” is great for a big group - or for a group with a range of ages. It has three separate play areas with equipment to entertain children from as young as one through to upper primary school age.
For the bigger kids there is a large flying fox and, tucked around the back of the playground, is a steep metal “mega slide”.
But preschoolers are well provided for with colourful multi-play structures, swings, tunnels, a rocking horse and, of course, the elephant slide.
4. Burnside Park
Location: View map
This is a nicely contained play area, centred around a large fort. The play equipment is challenging enough for bigger kids (such as the hanging tyre bridge), but the fort can be accessed by steps that even a small toddler can climb.
The toilet block can be difficult to find. Head towards the water tower, and then keep going just a little further, towards the cricket grounds.
The council-provided barbeque and shaded areas make it ideal for a picnic or birthday party.
5. Cashmere Playground
Location: View map
This artistically-designed playground is visually appealing to preschoolers. It is well-fenced from the busy road and has good visibility across the playground, so it feels safe to let the kids run free all over the area.
The drawcard for slightly bigger kids is the huge slide. Exciting enough to entertain primary-school aged children, it was also safe enough for my 16 month old to slide down by himself.
Park in the angle parking across the road if possible, as the playground side of the street is very busy with cars and bikes and buses if you're trying to strap kids into car seats.
6. Holliss Reserve
Location: View map
This hidden gem is a lovely spot to explore. As well as the usual play equipment, there is a very cool castle-themed area with a big slide and climbing walls.
Because of the slightly bigger equipment, it is more suitable for older preschoolers than tiny toddlers. However, a bonus is the duck pond, with a fenced platform to feed ducks.
With plenty of trees and easy parking along a quiet street, this would be a great summer picnic spot.
7. Parklands Reserve
Location: View map
This local treasure is a favourite because of its unique equipment. Preschoolers will love the novelty of “driving” the tractor and sliding out of the helicopter. There is also a large multi-play structure with two different slides, and a small structure for younger toddlers.
While the play area isn’t fenced, it is sufficiently far enough from the road. There is also no baby swing; however, there are three little rocking horses a toddler can easily use.
8. St Albans Park
Location: View map
If your child is into trains, then this might be the playground for you. They can sit in the driver’s seat and pretend to drive, while other kids climb along and slide down the carriages
There is a larger multi-play structure beside the train, which would be suitable for ages 3+.
If you cross the sports park, you will find a flying fox on one side, and a skate park on the other. Also of note is the Ris’tretto cafe nearby which has a baby play area inside.
9. Westburn Reserve
Location: View map
If your preschooler loves wheels, then let them burn off some energy at Westburn Reserve. This is a very cool bike park, complete with small scale Give Way signs, intersections and a roundabout.
The actual playground is fairly basic, with a high slide, seesaw, swings and a roundabout. But there are plenty of trees to sit under for shade and it is a safe distance away from the road.
On a busy day, it’s perfect for giving your kids a taste of what riding on a real road feels like.
10. Woodham Park
Location: View map
Woodham Park is a beautiful area to explore, with trees, walking paths and plenty of space to run around in. There is even an aviary, hosting ring-necked doves, Java sparrow, native and exotic parakeets, quail and finches.
It has a refurbished play area, which is great for preschoolers, but is fairly small. However, beside the playground is a fenced paddling pool, which is open mid-November to 31 March. The park is safe from traffic, spacious, and has all you need for a summer picnic.
