Wellington's Frank Kitts Park playground has reopened after almost three years under construction.
The popular spot on Wellington's waterfront was closed in September 2021 due to safety concerns.
Wellington City Council's chief operating officer James Roberts said the major repairs were needed to bring the playground up to standard.
"The park was getting old and it needed a refurbishment," he told Breakfast.
"There had been a few accidents as well, particularly on the high slide."
There had a been a number of reports of children being seriously hurt on the slide, including broken bones.
The park has since undergone a full reconstruction.
The refurbishment project began during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to delays and hikes in the price of construction material.
Those delays were extended when the first contractor on-site went into receivership.
"It wasted a lot of time and it cost us a bunch of extra money" Roberts said.
After scaling back the project, the new playground was complete - and came in under the revised budget.
It features a brand-new lighthouse and slides, an interactive waka, climbing nets, swing sets, and a shaded seating area.
Soft ground and caging reinforcements were also welcomed additions.
"We looked at how play develops and evolves in different places around the world ... and we've brought in those ideas into this one."
"It's pretty amazing."
Roberts himself is one of many Wellingtonians happy to see the park back open.
"It's an iconic location, a beautiful place, and the kids love it. So this is going to be amazing for them because it's so much better than it was."
Frank Kitts Park was reopened this morning following a dawn blessing.
By Breakfast's Courtney Hammond
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