Chilled Sunday,walking around, felt like a festival was on,great atmosphere 10/10
Frank Kitts Park
Waterfront, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
Why these ages?
Directly on Wellington waterfront with harbour edge nearby and no described barrier - real drowning risk for wandering toddlers. Infant swing, accessible carousel and timber play elements serve younger kids, and the tall lighthouse slide (reviewer flags '5+ only') and rope climber suit primary-aged children.
Access notes
The description states the carousel was specified with wheelchair access as part of the councils response to public feedback, entrance to the park is step free, and the surface is artificial. On street parking exists nearby but no dedicated accessible bay is confirmed.
What's here
Frank Kitts Park's playground sits right on Wellington's waterfront, its lighthouse novelty slide built around a refurbished original cupola dome rescued from the previous structure. Swings, an accessible carousel, a rope climber with accessible access and timber waka and box play elements carry a maritime theme through a medium sized layout that suits toddlers through primary schoolers without one age group dominating.
Equipment
Access and Inclusion
History and Cultural
Practical Info
Good to know
HistoryOpened within the last 5 years (as of the McNoe 2026 survey).
Source: services1.arcgis.comHistoryFrank Kitts Park was formed in 1976 on reclaimed waterfront land previously used for wharf sheds, and was originally named Marine Park. Wellington City Council renamed it Frank Kitts Park in May 1979 in memory of Sir Frank Kitts, Wellington's longest-serving mayor (1956 to 1974), who had died two months earlier.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHistoryThe original playground was dismantled in September 2021 after its slide was deemed a safety concern following a reported child injury; the rebuild was then delayed by the original contractor's liquidation and rising costs before being restarted in 2023 with a more modest design, finally reopening 29 February 2024.
Source: rnz.co.nzCultureThe rebuilt Frank Kitts Park playground includes an interactive waka (canoe) named Whetu Marama, meaning "Bright Star", as part of its maritime and coastal landscape theme.
Source: rnz.co.nzCultureFrank Kitts Park hosts several public artworks and memorials: Tanya Ashken's Albatross fountain (1986), Len Lye's kinetic Water Whirler sculpture (2006, reinstalled October 2024 after vandalism), Paul Dibble's bronze Fruits of the Garden, and a mast from the ship Wahine commemorating the 1968 Wahine disaster.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgCultureThe rebuilt playground was given the name Te Aro Mahana ('warm front') by mana whenua Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika, and waka creator Matthew McIntyre-Wilson described the Whetū Mārama waka as representing a living link to voyaging ancestors.
Source: scoop.co.nzOn siteEquipment includes lighthouse novelty slide, swings (including infant swing & basket swing), accessible carousel, rope climber (with accessible access), timber waka play element, swings, timber box play element.
Source: services1.arcgis.comOn siteJunior-suitable items include basket swing, infant swing, timber waka play element.
Source: services1.arcgis.comOn siteSpecialised equipment: a carousel.
Source: services1.arcgis.comAmenitiesPlayground surface: artificial.
Source: services1.arcgis.com
The week ahead
Daytime high in °C · % = chance of rain · data from yr.no
Photos (14)
Spot a problem?
Spotted broken gear, a hazard, or something that needs a fix? Let Wellington City know. They look after this park.