"Sackville Reserve" is the business. What I mean by that is the park offers privacy for your…read morechildren to play, you can sit and have coffee or lunch on the (plentiful) lawn, they can run around in the surrounding 'kiwiana' tame bush land, without interruption. Fantastic. This park has a modest playground, 4 swings, climb wall, slide, monkey bars, 2 picnic tables and a few park benches. There is lots of surrounding space for free play too. Always clean, well looked after grounds. Rubbish bins on site. No toilet though. You can park directly outside "Sackville Reserve" in a suburban street, safe in the knowledge that you don't have to walk miles for the trip home! Love!

Jellicoe Park is one of those War Memorial parks that we have all over our country and as well as…read morereminding us of the lives lost at war, the monuments of the 1920s and 30s somehow define our national character. To me this park is Kiwiana at its prettiest. It's been around for more than 100 years and is now home to several historic buildings alongside its gorgeous entrance arch, fountain and flowerbeds. The Norfolk pines are majestic and I love coming here for the lighting of the Christmas Lights every year. The largest of the trees is festooned, the switch flicked and the atmosphere makes it my favourite of all Auckland's community events. There is something about the history of Onehunga and its strong Pacific population that sees the most diverse people come together for a night of family festivities that perfectly reflect this suburb's individuality. The Fencible Cottage and Blockhouse are open and the people of the 'Hunga feel the love. (If you don't know about the Fencibles, look it up - it's a fascinating and fairly obscure piece of Auckland history.) The buildings are occasionally opened up at other times by The Onehunga Historical Society and are well worth a look if you get the chance. Otherwise, just come play in the playground, relax and enjoy, it's a beautiful place.

This park is the oldest park in Onehunga but I feel like not that many people know about it, or if…read morethey do it just doesn't come to their minds when thinking about a nice trip out. But in fact if you dedicate an hour to this park you will find that you will have a really great time. It's a memorial park that was renamed in 1921 for the Governor General so you can get an idea of what it is like. It's like stepping back in time to the Victorian era with it's 100 year old pine trees, big old fountain, historic buildings and beautiful archways. The flat grassy areas are perfect for a picnic or to play a game of rugby with friends and family. Opposite the park are some beautiful old houses too which can make your day at Jellicoe even better if you come on the first and third Sunday of each month between 1.30 and 4pm as they are open to the public on those days.

Rocket Park is awesome, even if you're not allowed to climb up the rocket. It has a huge range of…read moreplay equipment including an expensive Variety Liberty Swing which allows disabled children or those in wheelchairs to enjoy a thrill most kids take for granted. Very cool idea. I also really like the fairytale castle-themed play area which gets kids role playing and using their imaginations. I've spent countless hours here after pre-school Gym and Dancing classes at the neighbouring YMCA, and the beautiful setting amongst mature trees makes it a great place for a picnic. Be organised and bring your own or grab something from one of the surrounding cafes or delis (or a kebab!). One of Auckland's best playgrounds.

Rocket Park is an icon of Auckland. Though it is just a playground - and not a particularly special…read moreplayground anymore thanks to health and safety regulations - there is a giant rocket smack bang in the middle of the climbing equipment that is the reason for its name. As a child I spent countless afternoons climbing on and around this rocket, and even remember the days when you were allowed IN IT. Those were good times. Though this is no longer possible, every afternoon the park is still packed with young families and it's a really nice place to have a wee picnic and a run around. Tip: Now there is even some cardio gym equipment permanently set up in the park, like treadmills and cross-trainers, that available for anyone to use. So parents, you too can get some exercise while your kids tire themselves out on the playground!

I used to be a Grey Lynn local up till a few years ago, and just recently popped back for a…read morefriend's son's birthday party in the park. I realize now that for a city park Grey Lynn is well rounded. It has a fantastic playground for the kids to play in, right next to an outdoor paddling, splash pool- which is free to use of course. There are lots of leafy green trees to shade the hot sun in the middle of the day; as well as a giant flying fox for the older kids to let loose on. This park is fab for running laps in, playing soccer, or basketball at, and taking the family dog out for a run and fetch. They even have a cool Skate Ramp to flip some boards on too. I have always enjoyed Grey Lynn Park and will continue to for many years to come.

Kick a ball around, see who can swing the highest at the playground, fry a few things on the…read morebarbeque (after thoroughly cleaning it of course!) or splash in the pool. (if it happens to be full - every time I've been here it's been empty. To the point that my American friends joked that's how Kiwi's like their pools) The Grey Lynn festival goes on here once a year, otherwise it's just a nice area to hang around in without travelling far away from the city. It's not so nice to be near at night though, so make sure the sun is shining and the weather is fine.

Just had a bite at Catalina and need to walk the dog so I meandered over through the park and to…read morethe playground. What a great space with its cool climbing structures that look like pieces of sculpture art and are loads of fun for the kids to play on. This will be an anchor in the new community that is going to include hundreds of new houses and schools. The playground is surrounded by native plantings and wide open spaces with shady trees. This playground and surrounding park will form part of a coastal walk and cycleway.

My best Panmure Basin story involves me coming across at man while I was out on a mid-week walk…read morearound the Basin. He was down at the water's edge, in a suit and tie and looking very smart, but he was throwing a stick for his dog like it was the weekend. As I got closer I noticed he was talking quite loudly into his cell phone, something along the lines of "Oh nah mate we're absolutely flat out here, it's so full-on, I can't talk mate, I've gotta go, I'm in a meeting". And I thought "Good on ya mate". I love walking my dog around Panmure Basin. She's only little so it takes us the best part of an hour to get around the whole thing. It's a great spot to walk or run since there's car parking (not heaps, but enough), and most of the walkway is in good condition, although there are places where the tree roots are busting through.

The Basin is an idyllic recreational facility located in Panmure just off the Pakuranga Highway…read more The track around the basin is a decent 3.6 kilometres, and is perfect for both joggers and walkers - I have lots of memories running around and around lap after lap when I was young and crazy and ran much more than I currently do. There are lots of exercise stations located around the basin, so you can have quite an all-rounded workout mixing up running and body-weight resistance training. There are a decent number of seats to stop and sit at if you get a bit tired, and also a few hills in the mix for that extra challenge on your morning jog. Dogs are allowed and there are plenty of toilets located around the track, making for a convenient and attractive exercise location with lots of facilities available.

I love this little park located in the heart of Remuera. It has to be one of the more fun…read moreplaygrounds in the area. With a swing set, a big climbing frame, slides, a flying fox and a skate board bowl, there is something here to entertain all the kids while you could be walking the dog (on leash only). Upland Road playground also has a lot of greenery for you to sit down on and set up a picnic for lunch or those summer evenings. Located incredibly close to Benson Road dairy, it's only a short hop and skip away to get an ice block, ending a perfect fun filled afternoon at the playground. I have grown up coming to this playground and have taken my siblings here a number of times. It's always a favourite; you just can't go past the awesome flying fox!

This is a super cool park for kids! There's a playground with actually nice and maintained play…read morethings and swings, slides, all that sort of thing - appeals to young babies up to older children. Plenty of seating for parents while the kids play. There is also a big flying fox, and a skate park for the bigger kids. To one side is a cliff that kids can climb up and have a little picnic at the top. We have had several birthday parties here. And heaps of grassy playing area! HEAPS! But note - if you are allergic to grass, this is the grass that will make you come out in a rash. Parking is on the road.

What a great park with everything you need in one place. It has a secure childrens playground…read morewhich is fenced all the way around, access only via the 2 gates so very secure for the little ones. It has this great path all the way around the park with exercise activities you can do while you are walking or running around. You can also come here for sports acitivies, soccer, cricket, rugby etc. Also onsite is the Ellerslie YMCA which also has a child centre. On the otherside there is also the duck pond and wildlife reserve with lots of ducks and pukekos. Its a great park if you are in or near the area, and its one that I miss going to as I just to be just a hop and a skip away from it.

It's true this is a great park ! Big open kids play area ,…read morewith a small gate to keep them in . Ample parking and it looks like they're trying to sort the drainage issues on the sports field . No public toilet though .

I discovered this park one day when out walking. It is tucked away at the end of a no exit street…read more The playground has been recently updated and I think it is a pretty great park. Find a spot at a BBQ table or hang out on the grass, or if you want to get active run up and down the hill at the back of the park.. If you have children I'm sure they would love the new playground. How much fun do those two, bright greeen enclosed slides look?! (I'm yet to actually try them out). When I was at this park last, one family had iPhone in hand and were geocaching. So there might be something really awesome to find... or it might just be a box, who knows?!

Albert Park is an enchanting space. Around the perimeter are pathways surrounded by huge, stately…read moretrees. As you move into the center of the park, there's lush grass and a ton of the most beautifully landscaped flowerbeds I've ever seen. There are a ton of park benches throughout the park, but there were a ton of folks sitting on the grass with chairs and blankets. It was such a nice space, if I lived in Auckland I'd use that park all the time. Highly recommend.

Minutes from Auckland's central business district, we can all find respite in the green space known…read moreas Albert Park. From the old trees to the stately bandstand, from it's statue of Queen Victoria to those of famed New Zealanders, this park oozes history! It is beautiful, close to downtown/university and right next to the Auckland Art Museum. On a sunny day, you'll find everyone on the benches or sprawled on the lawn. It's the favorite space of office workers, college students and visitors too!