Memorial Park

Premier Park In Tauranga City

Memorial Park - A Wonderfully Unique Park

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Tauranga Memorial Park is the city’s premier park. Sitting alongside the harbour, Memorial Park features two very popular playgrounds, a water fountain, skate ramp (half pipe), mini putt and a miniature railway plus much more.

As a popular place to go for family picnics, the park has plenty to do for all ages. There are lots of play areas for kids as well as plenty of quieter areas for relaxation. Whether you’re looking for an idyllic spot for a romantic lunch or a family picnic, this park is the perfect place to go.

Kids absolutely love this park. Allow them to explore the park as they find the many of things to do. The playgrounds are large and feature all kinds of fun for different ages to enjoy.

The miniature railway has proven to be a popular feature of Memorial Park. Kids love the experience of going on this miniature train as they ride around the park. The train ride takes you through tunnels, past the playgrounds and back around to the station.

Humpty Dumpty also sits here within the park, now 50 years old, kids love to see to this just as much as anything else. Over the years, Humpty Dumpty has had to be repaired due to unfortunate vandalism.

Through out the year, Memorial Park also host a variety of events from circuses to markets and gypsy fairs. Plus much more. These events are generally quite popular and are hosted on the large field as you drive in towards the park on Devonport road.

Nearby alongside the Tauranga Memorial Park is the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre. This centre holds many different kinds of sporting events throughout the year. As well as recreational activities. These events are visited from those all over the Bay of Plenty.

Whether you want to get the kids out for the day or head out for a picnic with the family, Tauranga’s Memorial Park is a great place for the whole family to relax and enjoy.

Brief History of Memorial Park in Tauranga, New Zealand

The history of Memorial Park in Tauranga is rich and varied. But in 1936, the city council began to acquire land on the harbourside for recreational purposes. Tauranga Borough Council made further purchases buying in total, 11 hectares in 1940. The aim of this land was to develop the area into the city’s Centennial Park.

However, it wasn’t until after the Second World War, in an effort to attain a war memorial subsidy, the name was changed to Memorial Park.

The first buildings in the park were the sound-shell, this opened before Christmas in 1954, and a cenotaph inset with granite tablets listing the names of 63 local men who died in war.

On 25 May 1955, the war memorial swimming pool was opened, followed by the hall on 12 October 1957.

On the 15th of December 1962, an illuminated fountain was unveiled, and in March 1967 the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre was opened.

The new memorial in Tauranga began in 1989, when the Tauranga City Council and Tauranga RSA began planning for a new one in the southern-east corner of the park. It would bring together the names on the rolls of honour at the RSA and the First World War memorial gates.

The project was to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings when New Zealand fought in the war.

However, it was on Armistice Day in 1990 when the new memorial was unveiled and not on Anzac Day.

86 names from the First World War are inscribed on a series of beautifully polished blocks of black granite. Also inscribed, are 72 names of those who fought in the Second World War.

Other plaques exist here that list New Zealanders who have served.

In 1993, trees were planted nearby as a memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Armistice Day.

Again, trees were planted in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of VE(Victory in Europe) and VJ(Victory in Japan) Days.

Memorial Park Quick Information

Location: Eleventh Ave, Tauranga, New Zealand – Accessed from both 11th Ave and 7th Ave

Popular Attractions: Train, Humpty Dumpty, Playgrounds, Water Fountain

Playground: Yes, Memorial Park has two large playgrounds and additional features

Length of walk: Length along waterfront is roughly 500m

Time Required:

Difficulty: Easy

Wheelchair Access: Yes

Will you get wet: No, unless you choose to have a swim or walk in the water or water fountain

Toilets: Yes

Cellphone Reception: Yes

Track Quality: Nice, clean, clear paths

Highlights: The scenery, great playgrounds and a large area to play

Map and Directions for Memorial Park

Summarized information about Tauranga's Premier park

What are some of the things you can do here?

  • Two great playgrounds
  • Play in the water fountain
  • Look for crabs under rocks when the tide is out
  • Skate on the half pipe
  • Play on the awesome rocket slide
  • Walk along the waters edge
  • Kick a ball around in the large fields
  • Take a ride on the miniature train
  • Visit the popular Humpty Dumpty
  • Plus much more

Memorial Park Image Gallery

This image gallery displays just how great this park really is. An excellent place for a walk, a play and a picnic with the family.

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