Despite being a bit scared of dogs, Mt Eden Dog Park is one of my favourite places in Auckland…read more Situated halfway up the mountain, it has a brilliant view for you to enjoy while letting your dog (or in my case, my friend's dog) have a good run around. I've spent hours up there over the years, gossiping and catching up with my best friend. We often take milkshakes bought in Mt Eden Village up there with us, and it's a really nice way to spend a few hours in the afternoon. The park itself is big enough for your dog to have a good run and explore, while also offering a trough of water to keep them hydrated. Bonus: Every now and again couches magically appear in the dog park, and tucking up on them with a friend and yum drink is a great way to enjoy the amazing view.

I am not a dog lover or even an animal lover. Dogs scare me and for a reason. I have been chased…read moreand nearly bitten by dogs so it took a lot of strength for me to even go to the dog park. A friend of mine has a dog a cute dog called Million. She is the first dog I have ever patted and she is a bundle of joy. My friend and I took her for a walk and we ended up at dog park with other dogs. It was rather interesting watching the dogs interact with each other. The owners of the dogs all got along and talked about their dogs. I actually had a lovely time and I learnt something different.

Totally disagree with Eddy D on this one. I've taken dogs that ice been dog sitting here and had no…read moreproblems even with ones that are easily distracted. State housing? I live in Mission Bay and the homes and good people of Waterview seem fine to me. The grassed areas are rolling slopes away from from the road and there is a beautiful forest area that backs onto the water inlet. The playground is about 100m away from the road, there are almost always families playing there and using the lying fox. There is a public toilet which is well maintained. The dog area is away from the playground and even further from the road. If you are running a dog, they can't even see the road and get good exercise on the gentle slopes. There are well constructed loop paths down even further away from the road, under the trees. Think quaint bridges across a bubbling creek (weather dependent) and shady massive native trees with grasses clearings and park benches to enjoy the view. There is actually two loops, one that follows the creek and a slightly longer one which follows the edge of the estuary. Although this back part of the park is leash on, I've always seen dogs roaming free with their owners.

Heron Park had been recommended to me in the past but I have only had a chance to get there this…read moreweek for the first time. Cool place! I welcomed the rolling hills, albeit small ones, with serene views of the hills off in the distance as I approached on foot from Great North Road. The more I walk along the pathway winding its way around these grassy mounds, the more the sound of traffic winds it way back. The play ground is set quite far back from the road which is great, otherwise safety would be a bit of a worry for parents. They also have a flying fox, fun for the older kiddies. A designated dog off leash area too, which by the look of the map is probably a bit too close to the road however. It was an enjoyable stroll amongst a very open area, with some well established trees and some young ones slowly maturing. If you want to get here by car, the entrance is on Cadman Avenue.

I went there yesterday for the first time in years and loved it. There isn't many places where dogs…read morecan run around in a safe environment and it was nice not having to worry about people that are afraid of dogs. It was just a great, relaxed break in the day that me and my dog, Chonker, thoroughly enjoyed.

I only recently found this place. I was looking for a safe area where my boy Zuzu & I could get a…read morelittle exercise, away from cars & construction & danger. We found it. Zuzu has a ball in this place. The fences off area is amazing for a chap who doesn't normally get the chance to be free to explore without me tugging on his lead all the time. As an added bonus there are other dogs there too. Zuzu doesn't get much of a chance to socialise with other dogs, they are usually to busy or too far away. So having a relaxed environment where the pressure is off is great. Especially for Zuzu. The only downside is that you have to drive there. I say its a downside because Zuzu has a tendency to get car sick really easily. So if you're a lucky owner who's dog doesn't get sick, jump in your car & get there. After all..... There is no better sight than seeing your dog having a blast, wagging its tail & frolicking in the long grass.

This park is a regular of mine, I always turn to it in times of need. When I'm looking for…read moresomewhere fun to walk my dog? I come here because there is a large open field for her to run in, as well as forest type track walks for her to explore. When I'm looking for a natural location for photoshoots? I come here because it's local, it has great parking as well as looking untamed much like forests that you would find out of Auckland (just in a miniature scale). The reserve also offers barbecues, tables, a sportsfield with a cricket pitch, netball and tennis courts as well as half courts. As I said before, there is plenty of street parking which is free, so even if you aren't into sports, come here and have a barbie on their electric bbq's!

Windmill reserve is actually the shit. It's a good sized field, surrounded by big pine trees and a…read morebit of a track that you can walk along. It's great for exploring and I take photos back there sometime and pretend I've taken them somewhere out of the city in a secret location or something. Next to the field is a set of in Winter - netball courts, in Summer - tennis courts. All free to play on. Yeah, they're kind of concrete and shitty, but they're still cool and there's heaps of them so you're likely to find space if you want to have a game. The best. Full Disclosure: I live near here so I'm kind of biased.

Not a huge amount to say - it's like a nice park, with a variety of short walks to conquer! I've…read morebeen here a couple of times and enjoyed the off-leash dogs on all occasions. It's wonderful to see them all running around, freely! That being said, if you're not a big dog fan then you probably shouldn't come here!! The hills can be a bit breath taking for those with lower fitness levels, but don't let that put you off!After breakfast around the corner one morning, my family and I went for a 'stroll' in the reserve and we were all able to get up the hills... despite having just eaten! I would recommend wearing proper walking shoes. One family member only had jandals on and her feet got sore by the end. I also didn't notice a bathroom (although they may be one) so would recommend going toilet before you arrive!

Great place to walk a woof. Shame the water care are such c- units and remove pictures off then…read morewater tank aye. Stink water care stains

When my 6 year old nephew comes to stay with me, we spend a lot of time at this park! It's super…read moreclose to where I live and it has different play grounds to suit different ages, There is a "little kid's" playground with safe swings and slides that aren't so long or steep and there is also a "big kid's" playground that's quite separate. You have to climb up some stairs to get to it. I think the separation is quite good though because quite often the little kids can be a bit intimidated of the boisterous big kids. In this playground there is a huge slide going down the side of the hill which was great fun for my nephew and also a big flying fox. I would definitely recommend to parents or babysitters because there is space to park and it's not right on a busy road.

A park of many faces. Like that guy you sort of know from work but don't see much socially - quiet…read moreduring the day, pleasant even. But a bit sinister at night, especially if alcohol is involved. But during the day it's nice, legitimately so. It's a massive park, by inner-city standards, and they do sports here on the weekend, if that's your thing. The park really comes in to its own for gigs and festivals. The Grey Lynn Festival is a mainstay, but I've also been to a few other shows over the years that have been pretty cool. It's just nice to wander around in the sunshine, slightly drunk, surrounded by other slightly drunk people, listening to bass-heavy reggae and trying to decide between a steak sandwich or one of those Dutch fried bread thingies. It's just a nice way to spend an afternoon.

I used to be a Grey Lynn local up till a few years ago, and just recently popped back for a…read morefriend's son's birthday party in the park. I realize now that for a city park Grey Lynn is well rounded. It has a fantastic playground for the kids to play in, right next to an outdoor paddling, splash pool- which is free to use of course. There are lots of leafy green trees to shade the hot sun in the middle of the day; as well as a giant flying fox for the older kids to let loose on. This park is fab for running laps in, playing soccer, or basketball at, and taking the family dog out for a run and fetch. They even have a cool Skate Ramp to flip some boards on too. I have always enjoyed Grey Lynn Park and will continue to for many years to come.

This is a tiny park that is quite close to where I live, it isn't much really, basically it is a…read moreconcrete foot path that leads through to a grassed area from an entrance on LittleJohn Street through to a basketball court and path that leads out onto Olsen Avenue. There is a small kids playground with a jungle gym, slides and swings just next to the kindergarten and the grassed area has many trees. It isn't so much a park as it is a large backyard. There are no park benches, no flowers, the playground is not much either. This is a good place to take kids, just for the playground. You can't really kick a ball around or anything because there are trees in the way. There is no field, you could not run here but if you need a place to take you dog for a walk or want to shoot some hoops and you're in the area then it might be worth your while.

Surprisingly underused little park in Ponsonby with a children's playground and dog friendly area…read more Nice view of the sky tower and a good place for an impromptu picnic if you are in the neighborhood.

Going to Kiwitea Street is an inspiring experience. You feel like you could be in an English movie…read moreabout soccer hooligans as you walk down the street in the home colors of either Auckland FC or Central United. As you take your place next to the pitch you realise that this is what a football stadium is supposed to be - close to the action and where standing is encouraged. Apparently Kiwitea Street boasts the "finest football pitch in New Zealand," and based on my observations compared to certain other parks, I'd believe it. Games are cheap to go watch - 10 dollars being the usual. There is a game on most weekends - as there are both a summer league and a winter league that run consequently. If you live nearby, or really anywhere in Central Auckland, its worth coming along to watch a game - the quality might not be the highest but the passion of both the fans and players more then makes up for it.