Nicholson Park in the suburb of Scarborough is a 4-hectare park on the top of Sumner Head, with a high point 100 metres above the coast. It is primarily steep, with a mix of exotic trees and native regrowth, but there is a flat grassed section with a playground near the top. There are also seats and picnic spots along the track.
You can walk into the park from Sumner / Scarborough Beach on the Scarborough Track, a more gradual climb or on the more direct, steep Flowers Track, which can be slippery when wet. Along the way, there are viewpoints with fabulous views along Sumner Beach and towards New Brighton, Christchurch and the Southern Alps. Allow about 20 to 30 minutes to walk up.
From the top of the park, you also connect with the Taylors Mistake Track, which connects with the Pilgrims Way Track at Taylors Mistake and then the Godley Head Loop Track.
You can also drive up to the park from Sumner on Heberden Avenue, which becomes Scarborough Road. Plenty of car parking is next to the park at the top of the hill.
