The new waterfront redesign has become a destination playground, attracting parents from as far away the Kāpiti Coast.

“It just kills it,” Kāpiti Coast resident Ray Yee told SunLive, which visited the landmark this month to see what locals and visitors thought of the newly opened facility.

The new playground, which opened on December 14, is part of a planned $92.2 million that’s been spent on Tauranga City Council’s ongoing waterfront revitalisation programme.

Yee and his family have visited a few other big playgrounds in Christchurch and New Plymouth but said Tauranga’s new facility is the best.

“It brings people like us out of Kāpiti, and we just say to our friends: ‘the playground is great for your kids’.”

Despite the $5 million price-tag, Yee believes the project is good value for money because it brings children and families to the city centre and will act as a tourist hot spot in future.

“I pay rates as well. I am from Kāpiti, and we don’t get much for it. It is money well spent.”

Laurissa Cooney and her son Jackson were visiting the playground for the first time and thought that there was something for everyone at Tauranga's new attraction.

The playground’s proximity to the waterfront is one of the big drawcards for Laurissa Cooney and her son Jackson.

“You can manu, or you can swim when you come over here,” Cooney said. “I’m really impressed.”

A large open area at the playground can also give parents a low-cost option to host birthday bashes and other celebrations, she said.

It also has something for everyone and even the grown-ups can find something to do at the park, Cooney said.

“I just bumped into a work colleague. She was walking down there, and she’s my age. She comes here on lunch breaks and uses everything.”

Renee Claxton from Greerton was hanging out with her daughter Ivy for the day.

Renee Claxton from Greerton enjoyed the playground with her daughter Ivy doing something “a little bit different. Everything around there [Greerton] is kind of the same.”

Claxton is still in two minds as to whether or not she agreed with the playground’s price-tag. “Watching them dump a lot of money into a massive park, as opposed to spending in some other areas.

“Otherwise, it’s a good park. It’s nice to see that it’s bringing lots of people down into town.”

Bryce McFall, from Mount Maunganui, said the only thing he would change is the parking.

Bryce McFall, from Mount Maunganui, brought his four grandchildren from the Waikato to the playground for the day “to play on the slides”.

He said his favourite thing about the playground was the big sunshades and the accessibility-friendly design.

The only thing he would change is “the parking”.

The price-tag does not bother him. Seeing the playground full of people is excellent, he said. “It has become more popular than ever before.”

Diane Pearson from Mount Maunganui was at the playground with her two grandchildren, and it was her first time at the waterfront attraction.

“You come down with a picnic and swim. It’s got everything,” Pearson said.

The only drawback was the lack of parking, she said. “But apart from that, I think it’s great. I don’t mind spending my taxpayers' money on quality.”

Anahere and Amarae Toko-Ahipene were enjoying the swings and exploring the big new playground, they said.

There was, however, nervousness about going down the large slide at the playground. “I went down the big slide but am scared of it,” Amarae said.