Sherwood Playground

First impressions

Sherwood Reserve Playground, tucked just inland from Browns Bay, is one of those playgrounds that genuinely impresses from the moment you arrive. It's well-designed, well-maintained, and packed with thoughtful details that make it stand out from most other playgrounds we've visited on the North Shore. In short — it's really, really good.

Layout and shade

The layout is clever. A long wooden stepping-stone bridge runs through the centre of the playground, naturally dividing the space into two zones: one side for toddlers, the other for older kids. It means both age groups have their own territory without feeling separated, and the bridge itself becomes a favourite feature for kids of all ages who love hopping across it. Two shade sails cover the play areas, and the picnic tables — four of them — also have shade overhead, which is a genuinely appreciated touch that you don't always see.

Monkey bar paradise

Now, the monkey bars. If your child is a fan, stop what you're doing and put this playground on the list immediately. There are three — three! — distinct monkey bar setups here: a long spiral one, a ring-style version, and a classic straight bar set. My daughter, who is a dedicated monkey bar enthusiast, took one look and declared it a "monkey bar paradise." She was not wrong. We've visited a lot of playgrounds, and I've never seen anything quite like this concentration of monkey bar variety in one place.

The castle nook

Beyond the expected playground features, there's one genuinely unique element that caught us all off guard: a small space designed to look like an ancient castle or stone fortress wall. The stonework-style structure forms its own little enclave within the reserve, and even the nearby benches carry subtle design details that tie into the theme. Our kids found it immediately and played in and around it with great enthusiasm. It's the kind of imaginative, unexpected addition that shows real care went into the design of this space.

Reserve, stream path, and facilities

The surrounding reserve is expansive — lots of green space, although it's worth knowing the terrain is hilly, which makes it less ideal for ball games but adds character to the setting. The Taiotea Stream runs nearby, and the path alongside it is lovely for a bike ride or scooter after the playground. Toilets are on-site, and the large dedicated car park right next to the reserve means parking is genuinely easy — no circling the streets hoping for a gap.

Next-door treats

Perhaps the biggest surprise is what's right next door. Most playgrounds sit in isolation, but Sherwood Reserve has a small cluster of shops immediately adjacent. Sherwood Superette is the star of the show — they sell lollies for $1 each, and yes, we bought one for each of the kids. There's also fish and chips and other takeaways within easy reach, making this one of the rare playgrounds where you can legitimately make a full afternoon of it without going anywhere else.

One of the best we've been to. Highly, highly recommended.