Ongley Park is a central sports ground on Park Road in the West End suburb of Palmerston North, immediately adjacent to Victoria Esplanade and Manawaroa Park. Together these three connected sportsgrounds form one of the city’s largest playing-field clusters, with up to 13 sports fields, changing rooms, toilets and on-site facilities used for offices and functions.
Ongley Park is used for cricket in summer and rugby in winter. It carries six artificial cricket wickets, eight grass cricket wickets, outdoor cricket nets and the Manawatu Cricket Association’s indoor cricket training centre, making it a year-round cricket base. Manawatu Rugby uses the ground through the winter season. Entry to the park is free.
Practical Information
| Location | Park Road, West End, Palmerston North (next to Victoria Esplanade and Manawaroa Park) |
| Distance from central Palmerston North | Around 1.5 km west, 5 min drive or walk via Park Road |
| Cricket facilities | Six artificial wickets, eight grass wickets, outdoor cricket nets, indoor cricket training centre (Manawatu Cricket Association) |
| Winter use | Rugby (Manawatu Rugby Union) |
| Combined cluster | With neighbouring Victoria Esplanade and Manawaroa Park: up to 13 sports fields |
| Facilities | Changing rooms, toilets, on-site rooms for offices and functions |
| Cost | Free to enter (training and bookings via the relevant club or association) |
About Ongley Park
Ongley Park is a working sportsground in the West End of Palmerston North, used primarily for cricket and rugby. The park sits on the western edge of the central city on Park Road, directly alongside Victoria Esplanade and Manawaroa Park. The three together function as one connected playing-field cluster, with up to 13 sports fields and shared changing room, toilet and meeting room facilities.
The park is council-managed and used as a home ground by local cricket and rugby clubs. The Manawatu Cricket Association operates the indoor cricket training centre on site. The relationship between the three adjacent grounds means major weekend fixtures and tournaments often use Ongley Park alongside Victoria Esplanade and Manawaroa Park.
Cricket at Ongley Park
Ongley Park is the main cricket ground for Palmerston North. The setup includes six artificial wickets (turf-on-concrete strips for practice and lower-grade fixtures), eight grass wickets (the prepared turf wickets used for senior matches), outdoor cricket nets for training, and the indoor cricket training centre. The multiple wickets allow several matches to run in parallel and make the ground a natural choice for local and regional tournaments.
The Manawatu Cricket Association runs club cricket from the ground through the summer (broadly October to March) and manages the indoor centre for year-round training. Bookings and current fixture information come through the association rather than the council. Casual public use of the wickets is not permitted during the cricket season.
Rugby and Winter Use
In the winter rugby season (broadly April to August) Ongley Park is used by Manawatu Rugby as a home ground for local club matches. The grass surface is the same area used for cricket in summer; the wicket strips are covered or rested through the winter season, and the goalposts and lines are set up for rugby.
Together with neighbouring Victoria Esplanade and Manawaroa Park, this part of the city handles a large share of Palmerston North’s winter rugby and netball fixtures. Schedules come through the Manawatu Rugby Union and Manawatu Cricket Association sites.
Combining With Victoria Esplanade
Because Ongley Park backs directly onto Victoria Esplanade, a sports day at the ground combines naturally with the gardens, rose garden, miniature railway, paddling pool, playground and cafe at the Esplanade. Families dropping off players for a match commonly use the Esplanade as the kids’ destination during the game.
The Manawatu River Pathway also runs through the adjacent Esplanade and along the river, giving easy walking and cycling connection to the central city, He Ara Kotahi (the river-crossing footbridge) and Massey University.
What Visitors Often Say
Ongley Park is a functional working sportsground rather than a destination for casual visitors, and reviews reflect that: players and supporters describe the wicket and field surfaces, the indoor cricket centre and the changing facilities as well-maintained and appropriate for the level of play. The proximity to Victoria Esplanade is frequently mentioned as a plus for families.
Practical observations: this is a sports facility, not a family park – the play and picnic option is next door at Victoria Esplanade; check fixtures via Manawatu Cricket Association (summer) or Manawatu Rugby (winter) before turning up to watch; indoor cricket centre bookings come through the association; free street parking on Park Road and around the neighbouring sports complex.
Where to Learn More
PNCC: Ongley Park: official Palmerston North City Council page with park facilities and current notices.
Manawatu Rugby: Ongley Park: winter rugby use, fixtures and ground listing.
Manawatu Cricket Association: Ongley Park Indoor Centre Hire: indoor cricket centre bookings and summer cricket information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ongley Park?
On Park Road, West End, Palmerston North – around 1.5 km west of the central city, directly next to Victoria Esplanade and Manawaroa Park.
What is Ongley Park used for?
Cricket in summer and rugby in winter. The park has six artificial cricket wickets, eight grass cricket wickets, outdoor nets and the Manawatu Cricket Association’s indoor cricket training centre. Manawatu Rugby uses the ground in the winter season.
Can the public use the cricket wickets casually?
No. During the cricket season the wickets are reserved for club fixtures and association use. Casual use is not permitted.
How many sports fields are in this cluster?
Up to 13, when Ongley Park is counted with the neighbouring Victoria Esplanade and Manawaroa Park sportsgrounds.
Is parking available?
Yes. Free street parking is available on Park Road and around the neighbouring sports complex.
Is there an indoor cricket centre?
Yes. The Manawatu Cricket Association indoor cricket training centre is on site at Ongley Park, available for hire year-round.
Can I combine a visit with Victoria Esplanade?
Yes. The two are directly adjacent. Victoria Esplanade gives gardens, the miniature railway, the playground and paddling pool, and Cafe Esplanade – a natural family destination while a match is on.
For more sports grounds and parks, see the parks and reserves hub or the related playgrounds in Palmerston North.