Ralph Ham Park

Ralph Ham Park is a medium-sized neighbourhood playground on Portobello Road in Macandrew Bay, sitting directly opposite the beach on the Otago Peninsula and covering ages from toddlers through to teens with its skate ramp and basketball court.

Equipment

On artificial softfall surfacing, the park has a circular track ride, a climbing frame, a junior multi-play structure with slide, a see-saw, a senior multi-play structure with slide, swings, and a whale rocker. A 4.8 by 8.4 metre half-pipe skate ramp with a Skatelite surface and a half basketball court were added in 2023, giving older children and teens their own dedicated equipment alongside the junior gear.

Access and Inclusion

On-street angle parking runs along Portobello Road, and public toilets and a drinking fountain are on site. The park sits directly opposite the beach, so a visit can combine playground time with coastal views. No wheelchair-accessible play equipment has been identified at this site.

History and Cultural

Ralph Ham Park is built on reclaimed land, converted from a tidal mudflat in the mid-20th century into a community recreation space. Macandrew Bay is a small coastal settlement on the western shore of Otago Harbour, and the 2023 skate ramp and basketball court upgrade followed feedback gathered during public consultation for the council's Play Space Plan.