Anderson Park

Anderson Park playground in Havelock North is built around one of New Zealand's tallest playground towers, a 10 metre structure with two tube slides and three linked tower sections, plus the inclusive Liberty Swing that lets children in wheelchairs join in. It suits toddlers through pre-teens, with a quieter zone for the youngest visitors.

Equipment

The main tower reaches 10 metres with two tube slides, talking tubes, climbing ropes, a spinning carousel and tunnels, with three tower sections linked so kids can test crossing without touching the ground. The Liberty Swing lets children in wheelchairs join the swinging rather than watch from the side, and a twin flying fox and multiple standard swings round out the main play area.

Access and Inclusion

A wheelchair ramp reaches a mini-tower, artwork carries braille messages for sight-impaired visitors, and sensory play equipment includes a large xylophone, drums and an interactive musical bridge. A smaller, quieter play zone near the Lipscombe Crescent entry suits toddlers who find the main zone busy.

Practical Info

The reserve has multiple entry points off Te Aute Road, Panckhurst Street and Lipscombe Crescent, with public toilets, BBQ facilities and off-street parking at the Te Aute Road entrance. Sports fields for cricket, rugby and touch rugby bring extra community activity to the site, and Havelock North village, about 15 minutes east of Hastings, has cafes a short walk away.