SlideScout
Aerial view of Lorna Irene Drive Reserve Playground in Raumati South, Kapiti Coast District
Playground

Lorna Irene Drive Reserve Playground

44 Lorna Irene Drive, Raumati South 5032

4.7
35
visits
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ParksPlaygrounds
Best suited to
Toddler-friendly0–4Child5–9
Why these ages?

NZ Playground of the Year 2023 — fully fenced, poured rubber throughout, wheelchair-accessible, purpose-designed for under-5s and mixed abilities. Parent reviewers rave: 'fully enclosed can let them loose', 'BEST playground for under 5s', full capsule swing for babies. Ramps not stairs to the slide, wheelchair see-saw and roundabout, inclusive carousel, ground-level trampoline, musical walls, sensory mirrors. Absolute set-and-forget for toddlers.

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
+ Ramped play platform+ Step-free path to the play+ Wheel-on roundabout / carousel+ Transfer platform onto play deck+ Supportive swing seat (high-back, basket or nest)+ Poured rubber surface (firm for wheels)+ Accessible toilet on site
Access notes

The description details ramps instead of stairs, a wheelchair accessible roundabout, a ground level trampoline a wheelchair can roll straight onto, a dedicated inclusive swing, poured rubber flooring throughout, and accessible public toilets. A review corroborates it as wheelchair friendly and describes a wheelchair user enjoying the wheelchair see saw.

What's here

Climbing frameFencedSeesawSlideSwingsToiletsTrampolineWater playSign in to add

Lorna Irene Drive Reserve Playground in Raumati South is one of New Zealand's most awarded small playgrounds, winning the 2023 Recreation Aotearoa Playground of the Year despite some competing entries having more than six times its budget, and it is built to let children of every ability play side by side.

Good to know

  • HistoryThe inclusive swing at Lorna Irene Drive Reserve was funded by a community fundraising campaign by Kris Dahl and her son Cyrus, who lives with cerebral palsy. Their campaign has donated inclusive swings to several playgrounds across the Wellington Region.

    Source: kapiticoast.govt.nz

  • HistoryThe accessible design of the playground was directly inspired by two local families , the Dahl family, whose son Cyrus has cerebral palsy, fundraised for seven inclusive swings and donated one to the playground, and the Edmonds family, whose son Kash created a wish list that shaped the final design.

    Source: rnz.co.nz

  • HistoryOpened within the last 5 years (as of the McNoe 2026 survey).

    Source: services1.arcgis.com

  • On siteLorna Irene Drive Reserve Playground features an accessible tower structure with ramps leading to a slide, musical walls, creative windows, safe mirrors, colourful ground games, and a large basket swing for cooperative play.

    Source: accessibleplaygrounds.co.nz

  • On siteThe Lorna Irene Drive Reserve playground in Raumati South, completed February 2023, includes New Zealand's first wheelchair seesaw, plus other wheelchair-accessible equipment including a roundabout and tower, and sensory play opportunities. The Dahl family donated one of seven inclusive swings after fundraising for their son Cyrus who has cerebral palsy.

    Source: stuff.co.nz

  • On siteLorna Irene Drive Reserve Playground was designed with an inclusive, sensory-oriented focus catering to a broad spectrum of ages and abilities.

    Source: creospace.co.nz

  • On siteLorna Irene Reserve Playground features an inclusive carousel and a wheelchair-accessible trampoline flush with the ground, allowing everyone to enjoy these features independently.

    Source: accessibleplaygrounds.co.nz

  • On siteLorna Irene Drive Reserve Playground features New Zealand's first wheelchair seesaw, along with other wheelchair-accessible equipment including a roundabout and tower, and sensory play opportunities, making it one of the few fully accessible playgrounds in the country.

    Source: rnz.co.nz

  • On siteLorna Irene Drive Reserve Playground includes New Zealand's first wheelchair seesaw, wheelchair-accessible roundabout and tower, sensory play, and an inclusive swing donated by Kris Dahl (her son Cyrus has cerebral palsy).

    Source: kapiticoast.govt.nz

  • On siteEquipment includes inground trampolines, basket swing, rocker, accessibility swing, fort (with slide), musical play, inground carousel, tunnels.

    Source: services1.arcgis.com
Forecast

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Photos (10)

Spot a problem?

Spotted broken gear, a hazard, or something that needs a fix? Let Kapiti Coast District know. They look after this park.

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From the crew

Visits

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  • Playgrounds P.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    A beautiful playground for many ages and stages. It has the usual play features, but also includes accessible options which is wonderful to see. We saw a wheelchair user have a wonderful time on the wheelchair see-saw, as well as explore the different aspects that were close to paths and able to explore from a chair. The swings feature a basket swing close to the ground, standard swings and a disability swing with full seat and seatbelts. A well thought out playground, especially for families with wheelchair users or runners as it's full fenced! Great job to the Kapiti parks team!

    0Helpful
  • Nic P.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    Hands down the BEST playground for under 5s! Took my 20 month old and I think he would quite happily have stayed their all day! …

    0Helpful
  • Ruth B.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    Great park for younger children. My two Grand Boys enjoyed it but a bit young for them

    0Helpful
  • Caroline L.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    It was very good, really enjoyed it. From my grandchildren.

    0Helpful
  • Dave P.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    Don't come here. It will be better when we forget about it and the locals can have it back. NZ Playground of the year 2023, and I can see why. A fantastic playground hidden in residential Raumati. This spot has been carefully and beautifully designed to cater to younger children, and every aspect has disabled users at the forefront. The designers and builders deserve their award. Our kids are 5 and 6. They had fun, but I think older kids would start to struggle to find a challenge here. Now the problem, and the reason that locals probably wish the playground wasn't quite as good... This isn't a "destination playground," but we traveled to it from Porirua because it won an award . We struggled to park on a quiet residential street because lots of other people traveled here too. And there were about 10 times more kids on the playground than would be normal for this type of location. My favourite playground I won't visit again.

    0Helpful
  • Tee
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    have a 1 and 2 year old - this playground is perfect! fully enclosed can let them loose. rubbish bin and water fountain within boundary. full capsule swing to take young one the lap. perfect as other playgrounds are too big for the little …

    0Helpful
  • Devika S.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    Nice, but a small one amidst houses. Looks massive in pictures. A bit disappointing to travel the long distance from where we live relying on Stuff news that it is the country's best playground!

    0Helpful
  • Shaz G.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    Awesome little park, super safe for the littlest with some cool/different features like the wind up music keyboard

    0Helpful
  • Nancy
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    What an amazing playground! The swings are hot if you visit during in bright open sun so be careful. Wheelchair friendly ❤️

    0Helpful
  • Paul F.
    from Google15 Apr 2026

    My family lives it here. Fencing around the entire park make it a really a safe place.

    0Helpful

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