Whale Tail Park is a playground at Kopipi Crescent in Ngunguru, near Whangārei. It holds a Google rating of 4.5 from 51 reviews, and reviewers often mention that it is fully fenced and suits all ages. Reviewers also note a clean toilet, and a rubbish bin that overflowed at times over summer.
A good neighbourhood playground is judged first on safety, so a fence, a gate and a soft surface matter more than the equipment. Wood chip and rubber surfaces cushion falls, although they need topping up over time. Some parks include adult exercise equipment, which lets parents keep an eye on children while they train. When choosing a playground, look at how busy it gets, whether there is shade and seating, and whether the toilets are easy to reach.
For a family stop on the way back from the coast in Ngunguru, it is a park worth a visit on Kopipi Crescent.