Hammond Park Playground

If you’re after a playground that doesn’t feel like every other cookie-cutter setup in the city, Hammond Park is worth the trip. The equipment’s made from natural materials which fits right in with the bush surroundings — kids seem to actually engage with it more than the usual plastic stuff. Throw down a picnic at one of the tables and you’ve got a solid afternoon sorted, especially since the Waikato River trail and bush walk are right there when the little ones are done playing. Best suited for the 2-8 crowd, so don’t expect anything too wild for older kids. Locals treat this more as a nature outing with a playground attached, which honestly is the right way to approach it.