Akaroa Recreation Ground is a park in the harbourside town of Akaroa on Banks Peninsula, rated 4.5 from 188 Google reviews. A recreation ground is the flat land a small town sets aside for sport and gathering, and in a settlement ringed by steep volcanic hills that open grass is worth more than it looks. Expect working basics rather than ornamental gardens: playing fields, a playground, mature shade trees and space that doubles as the town's venue for shows, gala days and weekend fixtures. Regulars time their visits around those events, since grounds like this are busiest on game days and quietest on a weekday morning. For travelling families, such a park gives children room to run after the long drive over the hill. A level, open patch of green in a town people visit for its harbour and French heritage, Akaroa Recreation Ground makes an easy, unhurried stop.