Get the kids outdoors and have fun at our playground and paddling pool.
The children's playground is near the Armagh Street car park entrance.
A popular playground, it's been entertaining generations of Christchurch children for many years.
Play equipment includes swings, slides, multi-play structures and climbing towers.
There is also a liberty swing available for children with disabilities. To use the swing, please collect the key from the Visitor Centre.
Find more Christchurch playgrounds.
The Botanic Gardens is a wonderful place for nature play.
Not only is there a rock wall and logs for climbing near the playground, there are plenty of ways your children can engage with nature around the rest of the grounds.
The paddling pool is located at the children's playground and offers a great opportunity to cool off during a summer visit or picnic.
The Botanic Gardens paddling pool, along with the rest of Christchurch's paddling pools(external link), are open from mid November until 31 March.
A new regional park will be established next to Wairewa/Lake Forsyth, providing space for outdoor recreation, and ongoing conservation protection.
6 Oct 2025At its last meeting of the triennium, Christchurch City Council make a number of decisions including on a heritage plan change, temporary improvements to a street in the Central City and a new footpath upgrade programme.
17 Sep 2025A project to restore a significant wetland and deliver a long-planned expansion of Bower Park will get underway in 2026, following endorsement from the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board.
9 Sep 2025