St Heliers Beach Playground

At the eastern end of St Heliers Bay in Auckland, the playground sits on a rubber-surfaced strip between Tamaki Drive and the beach, with Rangitoto straight ahead.¹ Only a path and a strip of grass separate the slide from the sand, which is exactly what one reviewer loved: kids on the equipment, the rest of the family relaxing on the beach a few metres away.

Equipment

The centrepiece is a large climbing dome, the "hemisphere" a reviewer singles out. Beside it is a play module with ladders, a climbing wall and a curved slide, and there are two sets of two swings, one at each end of the play area.¹ The eastern set, nearest the toilets, includes an accessible basket swing.¹ Auckland Council pitches the space at preschool and junior ages, so it is best for under-fives and younger primary kids.¹

Access and Inclusion

The whole play area is on rubber, with a paved path along its beach side. It is only partially fenced, on the road side, and open towards the path and beach, so keep an eye on wanderers.¹ Dogs are banned on the playground and must be on a lead near it.¹

History and Cultural

The beach is newer than it looks. In 2006 Auckland City placed 35,000 cubic metres of sand on a shoreline that had worn back to the seawall, and the playground was closed until the work finished.² The rocky headland at this eastern end of the beach is one of two built then to hold the sand in place.³

Practical Info

There is no shade over the playground, so bring hats and sunscreen, and check the rubber on a hot afternoon.¹ Toilets, an outdoor shower and a drinking fountain are on Cliff Road at the playground's eastern end (toilets open 6am to 9.30pm), with picnic tables and electric barbecues alongside.¹ Parking is on the road only, and one reviewer calls it a very busy playground. The 5 km St Heliers to Mission Bay path follows the waterfront west from the reserve.¹ Glover Park Playground is about 650 metres away if you want a second stop.