Drake Street Playground

Locals have been bringing their kids to Drake Street for years — there’s something about the swings and that rainbow slide that just sticks in people’s memories. It’s enclosed, which is a genuine relief if you’ve got a runner, and the sightlines are good enough that you’re not constantly craning your neck. The open grass field out back gives older kids somewhere to burn off energy once they’ve done the rounds on the equipment. Fair warning though, there’s some graffiti around the place — nothing that ruins the vibe, but worth knowing. For the 5-and-up crowd in New Plymouth, it’s a solid, well-kept spot that punches above its weight.