The slide inside Old Mother Hubbard’s shoe at Kōwhai Park. Photo / Mike Tweed
The slide inside Old Mother Hubbard’s shoe at Kōwhai Park. Photo / Mike Tweed
Over the past year or so, slides have played a big part in my life for the first time in decades. It’s all thanks to my 2-and-a-half-year-old son, who likes to hurl himself down things at every opportunity, whooping at the top of his lungs. Any disapproving tut-tuts from me are merely a front – I’m right there with him most of the time. Here’s to playtime, no matter how old you are. This list only features slides I’ve been down. If there are others you think we should try, let me know!
Note: Please don’t let your little ones tackle them unattended or, in most cases, unaccompanied.
Six-year-old Marlo tries out the slide at Springvale Garden Centre while sister Harriet watches on. Photo / Mike Tweed
10: Springvale Garden Centre
The twin slide in the garden centre’s playground isn’t groundbreaking but it’s undercover, a rarity in Whanganui. This is my go-to if it’s pouring down and the little guy is climbing up the walls. A solid, speedy slide, and it sneaks on to the list because there is coffee available nearby.
There is plenty of width on offer at one of Kōwhai Park's less-heralded slides. Photo / Mike Tweed
9: Far end of Kōwhai Park
This slide’s width is perfect for the more rotund parent (AKA me) and enables a side-by-side jaunt to the bottom. It can be found towards the skate park near the Dublin Street Bridge, and while it’s not as glamorous as its siblings, it more than does the job.
The clock tower slide at Kōwhai Park is narrow – parents be warned. Photo / Mike Tweed
8: Clock tower
The first of the classics at Kōwhai Park. Not much speed on offer, but it bridges the gap between your classic backyard slide and the more daunting offerings to come. It’s tricky to navigate for an adult, and I would only attempt a descent if a child were to have a sudden change of heart halfway down and refuse to come out.
The flying fox that once stretched over the Kai Iwi Stream is long gone but the park’s slide remains a tried-and-true attraction. Parental accompaniment is recommended – there’s a ladder to navigate and a speedy descent is guaranteed. Never fear, the bottom is lined with wood chips if things get out of control. Adults, don’t forget to lean back. Bonus points for its proximity to a pirate ship.
The Morgan siblings – Kelay, Breiah, Darby-Jack and Ebony – are big fans of the slide at Castlecliff Domain. Photo / Mike Tweed
6: Castlecliff Domain
A scary-looking slide for those of lesser years, but there are bumps on the way down to make sure you don’t go flying out the end. High speeds can still be achieved so a dual trip is recommended. Climbing up the hill may be enough to scare your tot off, but if you park at the top of the domain and head straight to the slide’s entrance, you’ll both be flying down in a jiffy.
There is a surprisingly steep slide in Old Mother Hubbard's shoe at Kōwhai Park. Photo / Mike Tweed
5: Old Mother Hubbard’s shoe
There’s more to this Kōwhai Park slide than a trip through an old boot. The steel ladder to the top is challenging but manageable for a strong-willed toddler, with a steep incline greeting you at the top. Unlike other slides in the park, it isn’t easy to turn around and climb back down and there may be a bit of a wait while your little one plucks up the courage to head down. A tummy-down, feet-first position might be the order of the day to start with.
Whanganui East Pool opened for the season on December 18. Photo / Mark Brimblecombe
4:Whanganui East Pool
This gets the nod over the Splash Centre’s water slide purely on sentimentality. I rode it as a kid and one day, if the facility remains open, my son will follow in my footsteps. If you see a middle-aged man pushing his way to the top this summer, it definitely won’t be me. No way. The Whanganui East Pool is open to the public until February 5 but its long-term future remains up in the air – get in while you can.
Sliders beware – the Carrot Park's biggest offering packs a punch.
3: Carrot Park
Sleek, shiny and incredibly quick. A winding slide was added to Ohakune’s Carrot Park in 2021, with the entrance atop a climbing frame. That should put it out of reach for very little ones but there are other, smaller slides in the vicinity. If your child is insistent, accompanying them (or carrying them) to the top is a must. My son and I only went down once before his mother got wind of what we were up to but that was enough – for both of us. Make sure you grip them tight and lean back. You have been warned.
Two-year-old Cecilia Johnston navigates the dinosaur slide at Kōwhai Park. Photo / Mike Tweed
2: Dinosaur at Kowhai Park
Built in the 1950s, this is the older states-slide of Whanganui – a real icon and a rite of passage for every kid in our fair city. It’s pretty high at the top, but the slide has handrails so it’s easy to slow down if things get a bit quick. It took a bit of convincing to get my little guy to slide down the first time (in fairness, he was new to the art of walking) but this slide kick-started his adrenaline-seeking ways. Yes, it’s a big call not to have this as number one but, this time around, youth beats experience.
The biggest slide at Marton's Te Āhuru Mōwai playground is on Mike Tweed's hitlist for 2025.
1: Tower of power
A newish addition to our region’s slide pantheon, Marton’s Te Āhuru Mōwai playground received an “excellence” at the 2022 NZ Institute of Landscape Architecture Awards. The biggest slide on offer is a snake-like monstrosity that takes off from the top of the playground’s tower. It’s been a step too far for my little guy – for now. Never fear, there is a small, plastic slide for beginners and a mid-sized one when they are ready to take things to the next level. My son and I will be back in 2025 and, much like Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay all those years ago, we’ll knock the bastard off. Te Āhuru Mōwai covers all bases. Sorry, Mr Dinosaur.
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sports to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily the Whanganui District Council.
