Ava Park

Ava Park is a well-regarded local playground in Alicetown, a small suburb wedged between Petone and Lower Hutt proper at the banks of the Hutt River, with the Ava railway station a short walk away making it one of the easiest parks in the valley to reach by train.

The setting

Alicetown is a compact suburb on the flat land between the Hutt River and Petone's eastern edge. The suburb borders the river, giving it easy access to the Hutt River Trail, the long-distance cycling and walking path that runs the entire length of the valley from Hikoikoi Reserve in Petone to Birchville in Upper Hutt. Ava railway station, on the Hutt Valley Line, serves both Petone and Alicetown and is within walking distance of the park, making Ava Park one of the more public-transport-accessible neighbourhood playgrounds in Lower Hutt.

The playground

The playground caters to a broad range of ages. A dedicated under-fives area provides enclosed sandpits and age-appropriate equipment for the youngest visitors, while older children are served by climbing frames, swings, see-saws, a flying fox, and a slide. Picnic tables and open green space allow families to settle in for a longer visit.

• Dedicated under-fives zone with enclosed sandpits
• Flying fox, swings, climbing frames, slide, see-saws
• Picnic tables and open grass

Getting there

Ava railway station on the Hutt Valley Line is a short walk from the park; trains run regularly to Wellington and Upper Hutt. By car, Alicetown is accessible via the main Petone/Lower Hutt corridor. The Hutt River Trail passes nearby for cyclists.

: [Ava railway station, Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ava_railway_station)