Takapuna Beach Reserve Playground

Waves break metres from the equipment at Takapuna Beach Reserve Playground, where a nine metre tower with slides links to a seven metre climbing rope structure at the heart of the main play area. Two connected play spaces suit everything from toddlers on the accessible carousel to older kids racing across monkey bars, right on the Takapuna waterfront.

Equipment

Alongside the tower and rope structure sit a wheelchair accessible merry go round, in ground trampolines, a basket swing and a balancing seesaw. A hamster wheel style spinner known locally as the mouse house, monkey bars and a giant seesaw add more, and a water play splash zone with buttons, pumps and aqueducts opens for summer play. The second play area has a self propelled swing, a rocking truck, a monorail cart, balance beams, a play mound with swings, climbing nets and several tubular slides.

Access and Inclusion

This is one of the North Shore's standout all abilities playgrounds. A dedicated wheelchair swing, a wheelchair accessible seesaw and in ground wheelchair accessible trampolines sit alongside the wheelchair accessible merry go round. A 2023 upgrade added a self propelled accessible swing, believed to be the first public accessible swing that lets the user swing themselves independently, plus an accessible seesaw and a spring car chairs can be wheeled onto. A fully accessible Changing Places bathroom sits beside the upgraded toilet block, built for visitors with higher support needs than a standard accessible toilet.

History and Cultural

The original playground opened in 2016 with council backing and a donation from local couple Jackie Kerridge and Christopher Reeve. A 2023 upgrade added the accessible equipment described above, extending the reserve's reputation as an all ages, all abilities destination.

Practical Info

The playground sits on The Strand in Takapuna, right beside the beach. On street angle parking includes mobility parks, and grassy picnic areas come with hammocks for caregivers to relax in while children play. Toilets, drinking fountains and showers are on site, and the reserve is smokefree.