To the west of the suburb lies the Belmont Regional Park, while to the east runs the Hutt River and State Highway 2.

Residential development did not commence on any large scale until about 1973–1974, when approval was given for its boundaries to be extended into the western hills.

Picnic areas, walking and biking tracks in this region are looked after by volunteers from the Pareraho Forest Trust.

[6] Pareraho Forest contains lowland forest on hill country, with diverse canopy species including large specimens of Laurelia novae-zelandiae (Pukatea), Tawa, Knightia excelsa (Rewarewa) and Kohekohe.

The region is also home to a variety of native bird species, including tūī, pīwakawaka, grey warbler, whitehead, ruru, silvereye and kererū.

The original playground was designed and constructed by the Western Hills Lions Club in association with the Belmont Women's Organisation.

After a local family gifted the section to the community, it was built and opened in March 1986 with community-raised funds and council assistance.

The centre hosts public meetings, fairs, quiz and bingo evenings, children's birthday parties, fundraisers, corporate functions, engagement parties, church groups, theatre groups, and a regular playgroup.

[15] Kelson Kindergarten, situated on Taieri Crescent, provides education and care for children from two to five years of age.

[17][8] The kindergarten was extended in 1982 to include a wet-weather activities area, paid for exclusively by fundraising.