The Hastings community was out in full swing on Saturday as hundreds attended the official opening of the new Village Green in Havelock North.
After undergoing a once-in-a-generation upgrade funded by the Mackersey Family Trust the playground was swamped by children, parents and grandparents who spent the day enjoying the new water features, swings, climbing frames and skate park.
Hastings deputy mayor Sandra Hazelhurst said the project had been an incredible journey with many wonderful people working hard to see the finished result.
"The opening was an absolute celebration of the people that made it happen. The atmosphere was buzzing and there were so many people who attended," she said.
At the opening Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule made a point to remind the crowd of the history of the park and pavillion, which had once been an excellent vantage point from which to watch sport before roading changes left it isolated and underused.