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Aerial view of Appleton Park in Karori, Wellington City
Playground

Appleton Park

29 Chaytor Street, Karori, Wellington 6012

4.8
17
visits
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Parks
Best suited to
Toddler zone0–4
NearbyRoadAt a distance
Why these ages?

Explicitly described as compact and pitched at toddlers and younger children, within 1.4 ha of open grass with walking trails — good for a run-around after play. Sits on a Karori residential corner (Birdwood and Chaytor) rather than an arterial, but there is no fence between the play area and the street so parents can't fully switch off. Little detail on equipment; nothing indicated for older primary or tweens.

What's here

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Appleton Park is a small, well used neighbourhood park in Karori, Wellington, at the corner of Birdwood Street and Chaytor Street, with a compact playground for toddlers and younger children set within around 1.4 hectares of open grass and walking trails.

Good to know

  • HistoryAppleton Park was formed on land donated to Wellington City Corporation by Thomas Ward in 1920. The site had previously been a deep valley used as a general rubbish tip from 1929 to 1940; soil was added to bring the grounds to street level before the reserve was transferred to the WCC Reserves Department in 1945.

    Source: wellington.recollect.co.nz

  • HistoryA 1974 photograph by Ans Westra shows schoolboys playing football on Appleton Park alongside Chaytor Street, Karori, documenting the park's long use as a recreational space for local children and residents.

    Source: wellington.recollect.co.nz

  • HistoryA 1929 photograph in the Alexander Turnbull Library shows the Appleton Park gully before it was filled, with retaining wall construction on Chaytor Street and the road to the Northland Tunnel visible — the earliest documentary record of the site prior to its conversion into a public reserve.

    Source: digitalnz.org

  • AmenitiesAppleton Park features walking and jogging trails through lush greenery. Native birds including tui, kererū, and fantails are present in the park, which has a temperate maritime climate suitable for year-round visits.

    Source: mypacer.com

  • AmenitiesAppleton Park is a venue-rated public open space in Karori that has hosted major circus events including Zirka Circus (2018, 2021) and Cirque Grande (2018), reflecting its open grassed area large enough for temporary event structures.

    Source: eventfinda.co.nz

  • Handy to knowAppleton Park covers approximately 3.4 acres (1.4 ha) in the Karori suburb of Wellington, situated at the corner of Birdwood Street and Chaytor Street. It is a publicly accessible green space managed by Wellington City Council.

    Source: mypacer.com
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From the crew

Visits

Log visit
  • Sarah T.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    Walk down birdwood street and you will see so many native pigeons ( kereru ) . My fav walk to town from Karori

    0Helpful
  • Ann M.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    Leash free exercise area

    0Helpful
  • Willem P.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    Mmmmmm it is fantastic

    0Helpful
  • Summit “.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    A small park.

    0Helpful
  • Just W.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    Lovely spot

    0Helpful
  • Abu A.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    👍👍👍👍👍 …

    0Helpful

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