Totara Park

Totara Park is *the* park of South Auckland. As with every other kid that grew up here, I took swimming lessons at the pools there — these were pretty much a staple for most of the kids at my school.
Totara Park was also a regular location that we came to for afternoon fish’n’chips in the sun. The ample picnic benches, barbeque facilities, playground and grassy areas made it ideal for families to come and enjoy a day out. For me and the kids I had lessons with, the grassy area was a must to lie on to dry off.
Not just for kids, Totara Park also has a range of bush walks and trails to enjoy. The cool thing is that you can extend your walk out of the Park, as it links up to the Botanic Gardens just down the road.
I visited here recently and found the playground covered in litter and graffiti. Not cool.

Totara Park is a South Auckland staple. Its highly likely that growing up in the Manurewa/​Manukau area meant you were here for swimming lessons, a day out with family or school, or a hangout with friends. Its ideal for family picnics, barbecues (they have facilities available) and get-​togethers. The children’s playground keeps the younger ones, and the young at heart, entertained. The free supervised swimming pools are open in February and March, and are perfect for that relaxing swim on a scorching day.
As a teenager, my dad dragged my siblings and I here every morning of the school holidays for the 45 minute bush walk, and while I barely liked it back then, I’m grateful. These days, that bush walk, among the other trails you can take at Totara Park, are somewhat of a blessing (apart from the killer stairs!). The farm track from the Redoubt Rd entrance to the main picnic area on Wairere Road is a popular one, just be sure not to run past the cows as they can get pretty scary (for me at least). Another track, the Puhinui Stream Forest Trail, takes about two hours to complete and connects Totara Park with the nearby Botanic Gardens.