Swings, Slides, and Surprises - A guide to Nelson Tasman's Playgrounds
The Mission
To evaluate a range of playgrounds to uncover the region’s best. The quest for a perfect playground may be a never-ending journey but we’re looking for consensus, not unanimous agreement.
Meet the Judges
Māia Mahana O’Donnell
Māia is a 4-(and a half!)-year-old self-appointed playground critic. She loves unicorns, nature, and her favourite butterfly dress. She is at home on any playground, on any given day, in any weather conditions. You’ll often find her campaigning for another visit to the playground or insisting we stop at the one we just went past.
All playgrounds are good playgrounds. A miserable solo swing in a deserted concrete jungle (this actually exists in Nelson) is still a worthwhile adventure. But that doesn’t mean she’s not discerning. Māia knows a good playground from a lame one. She appreciates the amenity of a good café nearby that can provide sustenance in the form of a decent fluffy with chocolate sprinkles and a minimum of two marshmallows.
Johny likes to think of himself as a patient and understanding parent that embraces a child-led and nature-centric play philosophy that values the learning development that occurs through frequent engagement with a diverse range of challenging environments.
Trouble is, Johny is also severely ADHD and can make the attention span of a goldfish seem impressive at times. The lens in which he navigates the agony of playground choice is different to that of Māia Mahana and he finds himself typically assessing the risks and searching for a delicate balance of factors to make the experience enjoyable for all.
Mission Control
Libby is the referee as she’s less likely to weigh in on the debate but never shy of an eye roll when things have gone off track. Fortunately, she’s also on hand for the inevitable moment where Johny loses interest and starts answering emails from the bench seat (a critical playground feature). She will ensure the mission actually gets completed.
The Criteria
Playgrounds have been ranked from 0 to 10 ice creams for each, with more ice creams being better, clearly. Five criteria guide the baseline assessment, providing a score out of 50, followed by a marking out of 25 each for the respective X-Factor assessment.
The Unicorn Factor: How magical or whimsical is the playground? Are there any fantastical elements that spark imagination?
Fluffy-o-metre: Proximity and quality of nearby cafés that serve good fluffies (for Māia) and strong coffee (for Johny and Libby).
Puddle Potential: How well does the playground accommodate rainy day play? Are there good puddle-forming areas for splashing?
Social Media Worthiness: How Instagram-able is the playground? Are there unique features that make for great photo opportunities?
Time Warp Factor: How easily does time fly by at this playground? Does it have that ‘where did the afternoon go?’ quality?
Followed by the X-Factor for each of the judges:
Johny’s X-Factor:
The All-Important Seating
This criterion evaluates the quality, comfort, and strategic placement of seating areas for parents. Are there enough benches or seating options? Are they positioned to allow good visibility of the play areas? Do they offer a mix of sun and shade options?
Māia’s X-Factor
The Parent Participation Metre
This criterion assesses how well the playground encourages (or forces) parents to get involved in the play. Does it have equipment that requires adult assistance or participation? Are there elements that are irresistibly fun for all ages? Does the layout promote family interaction?
On your marks, get set, go!!!
The Results
Ten playgrounds were assessed during the mission, with a geographical spread and diversity matrix applied to cover (the admittedly bleak) play landscape of the region.
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Tirohanga Whānui Park
120 Bay View Road, Atawhai, Nelson
The Unicorn Factor: 8/10
Fluffy-o-Meter: 0/10
Puddle Potential: 5/10
Social Media Worthiness: 10/10
Time-Warp Factor: 8/10
The All-Important Seating (Johny): 25/25
The Parent Participation Metre (Māia): 23/25
Judges’ comments:
Māia: I love the playground up in the sky! It’s not that it forces parent participation, so much as the play features encourage it and adults seem to quite like them, win/win!
Johny: The seating at this playground is exemplary. All seating options provide clear vantage points of both the child at play and of the most stunning views out to the bay.
Total Score: 79/100
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Founders Café
87 Atawhai Drive, The Wood, Nelson
The Unicorn Factor: 8/10
Fluffy-o-Meter: 10/10
Puddle Potential: 3/10
Social Media Worthiness: 6/10
Time-Warp Factor: 10/10
The All-Important Seating (Johny): 20/25
The Parent Participation Metre (Māia): 10/25
Judges’ comments:
Māia: I enjoy this playground because it’s always busy and the café tends to keep the parents occupied, which means we get to play for much longer and with other kids.
Johny: Recently refurbished, well-fenced and lots to explore around it. Critically – you can achieve both ‘pub’ and ‘playground’ on a Sunday afternoon which is huge.
Total Score: 67/100
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TOAD Hall
502 High Street South, Motueka
The Unicorn Factor: 8/10
Fluffy-o-Meter: 8/10
Puddle Potential: 8/10
Social Media Worthiness: 8/10
Time-Warp Factor: 10/10
The All-Important Seating (Johny): 20/25
The Parent Participation Metre (Māia): 20/25
Judges’ comments:
Māia: TOAD Hall is the best! I always get an ice cream and the food is really good too. There’s so much to do and there’s no plastic so it’s better for Papatūānuku.
Johny: An undisputed hero of the play scene. The only downfall is limited view of the playground resulting in frequent awkward “checks” for the anxious parents among us.
Total Score: 82/100
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Kaiteriteri Reserve
5 Kaiteriteri-Sandy Bay Road, Kaiteriteri
The Unicorn Factor: 8/10
Fluffy-o-Meter: 5/10
Puddle Potential: 5/10
Social Media Worthiness: 8/10
Time-Warp Factor: 10/10
The All-Important Seating (Johny): 20/25
The Parent Participation Metre (Māia): 25/25
Judges’ comments:
Māia: The flying fox is the best because I can ride it on my own but Pāpā still seems to run next to me while I’m doing it which means he can then walk it back to the top for me.
Johny: I was delighted to discover I’m neither too old nor too heavy for the flying fox. Strong amenities close by. Best enjoyed outside of peak season, like Kaiteriteri itself.
Total Score: 81/100
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Te Pā Harakeke
Tāhunanui, Nelson
The Unicorn Factor: 10/10
Fluffy-o-Meter: 3/10
Puddle Potential: 10/10
Social Media Worthiness: 10/10
Time-Warp Factor: 8/10
The All Important Seating (Johny): 20/25
The Parent Participation Metre (Māia): 20/25
Judges’ comments:
Māia: I’m not sure why Pāpā doesn’t take me here more as it’s really fun. Maybe it’s too far from the café. But did you know when the tide is high it fills this playground?
Johny: This one is an acquired taste and rarely my first port of call but it’s a stunning concept that brings play back to the fundamentals and lets their imaginations run wild.
Total Score: 81/100
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Connings
151 McShane Road, Appleby
The Unicorn Factor: 5/10
Fluffy-o-Meter: 8/10
Puddle Potential: 5/10
Social Media Worthiness: 7/10
Time-Warp Factor: 6/10
The All-Important Seating (Johny): 25/25
The Parent Participation Metre (Māia): 20/25
Judges’ comments:
Māia: One of my regular haunts. They do a decent fluffy but we never seem to stay long, unless Koro comes, then him and Pāpā chat while I play. Great mince and cheese pie!
Johny: I agree with Māia’s assessment that we always feel on the go here but the convenience is unmistakable. Sometimes amenity beats fancy play equipment.
Total Score: 76/100
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Berryfields Crossing
405 Lower Queen Street, Richmond
The Unicorn Factor: 5/10
Fluffy-o-Meter: 8/10
Puddle Potential: 6/10
Social Media Worthiness: 6/10
Time-Warp Factor: 7/10
The All-Important Seating (Johny): 25/25
The Parent Participation Metre (Māia): 15/25
Judges’ comments:
Māia: My most frequented play destination. They know my order at the café, I get a fluffy with one pink and one white marshmallow served upon entry, delightful service.
Johny: Once my idea of suburban hell, Berryfields has grown on me over time. The café keeps things simple but delivers consistently. Again, convenience wins the day here.
Total Score: 72/100
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Motueka Beach Reserve
17 North Street, Motueka
The Unicorn Factor: 7/10
Fluffy-o-Meter: 4/10
Puddle Potential: 8/10
Social Media Worthiness: 8/10
Time-Warp Factor: 8/10
The All-Important Seating (Johny): 20/25
The Parent Participation Metre (Māia): 20/25
Judges’s comments:
Māia: I never know we’re going here until we’re there. Pāpā then shares boring stories about how things were when he was a child and how we all used to live here. Yawn.
Johny: My childhood was spent here so I’ve got a sentimental bias. But it’s got a lot going for it with the beach, saltwater baths, and easy parking and access to toilets.
Total Score: 75/100
Tāhunanui Beach Playground
Bisley Walk, Tāhunanui
The Unicorn Factor: 10/10
Fluffy-o-Meter: 6/10
Puddle Potential: 7/10
Social Media Worthiness: 8/10
Time-Warp Factor: 8/10
The All-Important Seating (Johny): 20/25
The Parent Participation Metre (Māia): 22/25
Judges’ comments:
Māia: I rate this playground for the diversity of equipment and space. Pāpā is always a bit slow to keep up and then a bit quick to leave. Added bonus – real fruit ice creams.
Johny: Good range of equipment here. Tāhunanui in general is pretty top notch for families. But it is so spread out that it’s hard to stick together. Added bonus – KFC for dinner.
Total Score: 81/100
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Somewhere in Brightwater
The Unicorn Factor: 3/10
Fluffy-o-Meter: 0/10
Puddle Potential: 3/10
Social Media Worthiness: 3/10
Time-Warp Factor: 2/10
The All-Important Seating (Johny): 25/25
The Parent Participation Metre (Māia): 15/25
Judges’s comments:
Māia: I am confused why Pāpā made the effort to drive us out then didn’t stop complaining. Admittedly, I was finding it hard to defend and I got real thirsty and hungry.
Johny: Sometimes I enjoy an impromptu drive into unchartered territory, other times I question my tendency for punishment. It’s fair to say, this one was the latter.
Total Score: 51/100
The Awards
Commiserations – Everyone in Brightwater
Judges noted that the intent was to explore a whole range of rural playgrounds as part of diversity efforts but they only managed to get as far as Brightwater. Libby would like it noted that she always knew it was a bad call.
Convenience is King – Connings
It was noteworthy that a secondary playground option exists onsite with the Grape Escape. With three different shops located here, you can get a lot done while the children play and wrap things up with a half decent coffee.
The Parents Preference – TOAD Hall and Founders
It’s no secret why these two top the parents preference list. You don’t have to pack a lunch, there are toilets onsite, enough kids to keep yours entertained and when all else fails – they serve beer and wine.
The Best All Rounders – Kaiteriteri and Tāhunanui Reserves
These playgrounds pack a lot of punch and have all the amenities onsite. Proximity to toilets is an under-stated feature. These are hardworking regional play assets and absolutely worthy of recognition.
The Surprise Factor – Te Pā Harakeke and Tirohanga Whānui
Te Pā Harakeke copped flak from the unimaginative among us but is a genuinely impressive feat. Tirohanga Whānui is a great option for those of us who can’t afford the bay view but wish to indulge it for the afternoon.
The Overall Winner – TOAD Hall
This place has won so many awards that it’s starting to become a cliché. But you just can’t argue against its credentials – a destination that delights all ages, opens every day, serves genuinely good kai, and serves (and brews!) beer.
The Wildcard
Just when you thought it was over or you had noticed that we’d gifted a parents preference award but remained silent on the children’s choice, enter the wildcard wrapped up in a valuable lesson for us all.
Every weekend we pressure ourselves to get Māia to playgrounds, buying into the idea that kids need stimulation to play and that good parenting is having them run off their feet with activity. There is no question Māia takes advantage of this position and is a well-seasoned playground connoisseur. But we missed a crucial criteria in the assessment. The sheer joy factor. And we found it in the most obvious yet overlooked place – in nature itself.
Yes it’s true, even with the pitfalls of a monkey brain holding far too much information, one thing you never forget as a parent is the instinctive judgement of how happy your child was at any given moment. While at the playground Pāpā needs a long black in hand and is never too far from his emails, at the beach and in the bush things change rapidly. There’s no question that fluffies, unicorns, fancy play equipment, and modern amenities play an important role in accessibility, convenience, and the easily achievable release of a child’s seemingly limitless energy.
But the moments where Māia displayed sheer joy weren’t actually on the swings or the climbing walls but rather shrieking with laughter and skipping along the beach in the Abel Tasman. Or purposefully preparing a sand castle adorned with shells and feathers on Kaiteriteri beach. That kind of joy is infectious food for the soul and the stuff memories are made of. The region may be a little light on decent playgrounds or destination play spaces but we are indisputably rich when it comes to access to the outdoors, stunning natural landscapes, and a diversity of raw wilderness.
So ignoring the rules we established and the comprehensive assessment we undertook, I must announce that without a doubt the ‘wild’ card pristine beaches and lush bush on our doorstep was indeed, the ultimate winner.
Blog & photography by Johny O’Donnell