What it is
The Esplanade lies on the northern bank of the Manawatū River, at the end of Fitzherbert Avenue in the West End. It combines open lawns and playgrounds with areas of native bush, and paths connect it to the river walkways that run along the Manawatū.
Within the park are the Dugald Mackenzie Rose Garden and other formal gardens, aviaries, and the Esplanade Scenic Railway, a small-gauge railway that runs through the grounds. Wildbase Recovery, a centre for injured native birds run with Massey University, opened in the park in 2019, and the Lido Aquatic Centre is next door.
Getting there by bus
Routes 101 (Airport - Massey), 105, 121 and 122 stop at Victoria Esplanade - Fitzherbert Entrance (stop F108) and at 301 Fitzherbert Ave (stop F103), at the main entrance about 690 metres from the middle of the park.
Routes 101, 105, 122 and 302 (Feilding Connector) also stop at 246 Fitzherbert Ave (stop F102) and opposite at 229 Fitzherbert Ave (stop F101), about 650 to 700 metres away, and route 121 (City East to Massey) stops on Te Awe Awe Street, about 800 metres away.
