MacLean Park

MacLean Park is Paraparaumu Beach's marine themed playground and skatepark, pairing a lighthouse slide, boat, tractor and climbing net with one of the best skateparks on the Kapiti Coast, and beach access through the dunes just steps away. It suits a wide age range, from toddlers on the infant swing to older kids and skaters chasing the flow bowl.

Equipment

Kids can climb aboard a boat, tractor and car for imaginative play, tackle a witch's hat climbing structure and spider web, or take the lighthouse slide that anchors the marine theme. Swings include an infant seat, and a rocktopus, climbing net, climbing frame and hamster wheel round out the play area. Next door, the rebuilt skatepark has a flow bowl, a mini ramp with spine, a jump box and street features for skaters and scooter riders.

History and Cultural

The skate site traces back to a skating rink from the early 1950s, resurfaced in 1961 and given a dedicated skateboard area in 1977, before its full rebuild completed in March 2025. The rebuild was codesigned with Te Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai and Ngati Toa Rangatira, and Maori artist Kereama Taepa worked aramoana and waharua tukutuku patterns into the retaining walls, wallride and pool tiles. A memorial to local skater Martin Kaukau, once painted on the old skatepark, has been reinstated in the new design.

Practical Info

A new amenity block has ten toilets, five within accessible change rooms, plus an outdoor shower and baby change tables, just off street parking. Shaded seating and picnic areas sit close to the playground, and the park is directly across the road from Paraparaumu Beach's shops and cafes, making it easy to combine play with a swim and a bite to eat.