A small neighbourhood playground on Farthing Drive in Prebbleton, Selwyn, holding a five-star rating from its sole reviewer. It sits on a residential street in one of Selwyn's fast-growing townships, the kind of play spot families reach on foot.
The best neighbourhood playgrounds are less about spectacle than about being close enough for a regular half-hour run around: swings, a climbing frame and a patch of grass do more for under-fives than a destination park across town. Surfaces are worth a look — well-kept wood chip or rubber under the equipment cushions falls — and shade matters too, since Canterbury's summer sun is harsh in the middle of the day. Smaller reserves are often unfenced, so keep toddlers close near paths and driveways, and many lack toilets, which regulars quietly plan around.
For Prebbleton families, a five-star playground a short stroll from the front door is exactly what a street like Farthing Drive is designed around.