Last updated October 2026
Skaters around West Auckland often just call it the New Lynn Bowl. Bob Hill Reserve Skatepark sits in a small neighbourhood reserve on Hill Crescent, New Lynn, and is described as one of Auckland’s oldest skate parks.
The draw is a concrete bowl with a full pipe, a combination you rarely find in a local park. Quarter pipes, rails and ledges fill out the rest of the terrain. A half-court with a hoop shares the reserve, so there is something for friends who would rather shoot baskets.
Practical Information
- Location
- Bob Hill Reserve, 18 Hill Crescent
- Suburb
- New Lynn, West Auckland
- Features
- Bowl, full pipe, quarter pipes, rails, ledges
- Also in the reserve
- Basketball half-court with a hoop, benches, picnic table
- Entrances
- Three, from Hill Crescent and Portage Road
- Cost
- Free
- Managed by
- Auckland Council
About Bob Hill Reserve Skatepark
The park takes its name from Bob Hill, a former Waitakere City Council member. According to Skate Finder, he saw that local skaters needed a proper place to ride and worked with the council of the day to get one built. That makes this bowl a piece of pre-amalgamation West Auckland history, from the era before the region’s councils merged into Auckland Council.
Age is the theme here. Skate Finder lists it as one of Auckland’s oldest parks, and a skateboard guide on the Skateboard.com.au network calls it “a classic and a must skate if in Auckland”. The same guide notes the bowl has been resurfaced, with credit to the crew at Premium for the work.
The full pipe is the feature people come to see. Plenty of newer parks are built around street plazas and flow sections, so a bowl with a fully enclosed pipe is a reminder of an older style of transition skating. Around it, quarter pipes, rails and ledges give street riders some lines of their own.
Off the concrete, the council lists benches along the path, a picnic table and a basketball half-court. It’s a compact reserve set among houses rather than a big sports ground, which suits a quick session after school or work.
Riding the Bowl
Transition is the main event. The bowl and full pipe reward riders who are comfortable carving and pumping, while the quarter pipes and ledges offer an easier start for anyone still building confidence. Beginners can still have fun on the flatter parts, but the park’s reputation rests on its bowl.
If you’re planning a West Auckland tour, Skateboard.com.au puts Ceramco Park in Glen Eden roughly 4 km to the west.
Before You Go
Helmets and pads are a good idea, especially in the bowl. Auckland Council parks are smokefree, and dogs must be on a leash unless signs say otherwise. Check the council’s park page before you head out for any closures.
Where to Learn More
Auckland Council: Bob Hill Reserve: address, entrances, facilities and park rules.
Skate Finder: Bob Hill Reserve: the park’s features and the story behind its name.
Skateboard.com.au: New Lynn Bowl Auckland: photos, resurfacing note and nearby skateparks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bob Hill Reserve Skatepark?
In Bob Hill Reserve at 18 Hill Crescent, New Lynn, West Auckland. The reserve also has entrances from Portage Road.
Is it the same place as the New Lynn Bowl?
Yes. Skate guides and family guides list the Bob Hill Reserve park as the New Lynn Bowl.
What features does it have?
A bowl with a full pipe, plus quarter pipes, rails and ledges.
Who is the park named after?
Bob Hill, a former Waitakere City Council member who worked with the council to create a skate space for local riders.
Is it free?
Yes. It’s in a public Auckland Council reserve with no entry charge.
Is it good for beginners?
The bowl and full pipe suit riders with some transition experience. Newer skaters can use the quarter pipes and ledges while they build skills.
What else is in the reserve?
A basketball half-court with a hoop, benches along the path and a picnic table.
Are there other skateparks nearby?
Ceramco Park in Glen Eden, with its own bowl, is about 4 km west.
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