Nixon Park

Weirdly enough, I used to live two streets over from Nixon Park and never bothered coming down to visit. I also used to think it was just called Bond Street park — which, you have to admit, is a bit better suited to it. I only realised how big the space actually was when I came along to a Auckland Council Music in Parks gig here, and was overwhelmed by how many people fit into the space.
Recently the council has put in a skate park, which is nestled under the motorway and kind of hard to spot from the road. Which seems to serve budding graffiti artists very well. The undoubted highlight of the park is the homemade rope swing that someone put in years ago. I’m a bit loathe to write about it, as some wowser from the council might come along and cut it down, but it is definitely worth a ride.
I know of at least two people who have been robbed using the park as a walkthrough in the night, so if you are walking alone it might be better to go the long way round then using this a shortcut.

This is a nice little park (well actually not that little really) that is located in a bit of a hidden part of Kingsland. People know about it though because in the evenings it gets pretty packed with people training, running, playing basketball and skateboarding. That’s right you can do all of those things here. There is a concrete basketball court over in the corner, as well as a sweet little skate park. But like I said before, in the afternoons quite a few people come here, so it’s best to go during the day, especially if you want to use the basketball hoops. Also on the opposite side there is a little playground for the kids to play on, or the adult kids.

Because of where it is, Nixon Park can look a little desolate if you look down on it from the Bond Street Bridge, sandwiched as it is between the arse end of Kingsland and the North Western Motorway. But once you actually venture down into the park itself it’s a lot nicer. And bigger than you’d expect (or, if you play sports here, probably about the size you’d expect). It still suffers a bit from being next to a motorway; it can be noisy from the traffic, and there’s probably more petrol in the air than you really want if you’re running around playing soccer and breathing heavily. But that’s a hazard of inner-​city parks, I guess, and Nixon is big enough that you don’t have to be right down by all the cars. Plus there’s the bonus of being so close to Kingsland, so there’s plenty of food and beverages available for a picnic or whatever.

Most kids rate Nixon Park for its skate area or the little playground. Mine rate it because of a dodgy old rope swing up the hill at the back, hidden in the trees.
Injuries have been sustained and I doubt it is remotely OSH approved but, just like back in the day, the home-​made rope swing kicks the arse of those PC playgrounds. I don’t know who put it there but I am glad that no one has (yet) had it pulled down due to misplaced (and misappropriated — if you don’t like it don’t let your kids play on it) safety concerns.
True they have to be a bit careful about hitting the ground when they swing back but that’s all part of the fun. And yes, that loop could be dangerous and yes, my son has got his leg caught in it and scraped the bejesus out of his torso (if a mishap is at all remotely possible, it will happen to him). But they LOVE it and I can totally see why. Just keep an eye on them — I’m constantly surprised at how many parents feel supervision is unnecessary (in all kinds of situations!).
Nixon Park is also pretty cool for family and music events with its big flat field and the Kingsland Karnivale that took place last weekend was a lot of fun for everyone — with some particularly good shopping. And I do always love to see the carefree Titirangi dancing come and visit the central suburbs.

I have driven past this park so many times in the past couple of years and never ever ventured in, for the reason that it’s not in my hood.
So I was really happy to have the opportunity to attend a Free Music in Parks concert sponsored by Auckland City Council.
Nixon Park may be more famously known for its Skate park or the two half courts to shoot some baskets.
My experience of the park was when it transformed into a community of music and a sea of people, young and old, to enjoy free music and a free space to relax upon.
Fantastic trees on the west side of the park, which provide shelter from the sun when it is at its most powerful comes in handy when you don’t have sunscreen, are with little kiddies, or just need some time out from the rays. In this little oasis of trees you will also find a really cool tree swing that glides out for some free play time.
The kids playground is small, but really good for the fifteen month to six year old, they have a few slides, see saws, and swings, not as modernized as of yet, but I’m sure it won’t be long till they revamp this kids play area.
Always enjoy a good Auckland park, and this was a great find.