The Napier council has copped a fair bit of flak lately for reasons I'm not going to go into here. Today we are talking about the positive.
Too often the negatives in any situation get far more attention than the positives.
So back to our stroll. We started by the Sound Shell and headed to the new development entering the Reef Garden just before the limestone pathways.
The first things that caught my eye were the beautiful huge wooden seats everywhere.
They look stunning and I really wanted to plonk myself down on one but we had limited time.
Then I was drawn to the artwork by Jacob Scott - standing tall and strong, reaching for the Hawke's Bay sky.
You can't help but see the whale-bone sculptures with seating inside - brilliant. Unique and impressive.
Walking on, I spotted another feature that really made me smile - a basketball court.
Fantastic idea. It reminded me of the beach at Venice Beach with all its fitness and sports equipment.
A couple of groups of people were shooting hoops and passing a ball up and down the court.
Much better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than glued to a device indoors.
The reflection pond and water features finish off this lovely addition to the parade that is becoming more and more popular.
Everyone I spoke to in the office and out who had been to or seen photos of the new development was impressed.
You can guarantee that come summer the water fountains that turn off and on will be well used by children (and most likely some adults) cooling down from the heat of the Bay's sun.
Children can't seem to resist water and, while some people don't approve, I think why not? Why not have some fun - it's not hurting anyone.
The skate park was also packed with children on scooters doing all sorts of tricks.
As I watched a group of young boys stand around the lip of a concrete ramp, I wondered how they felt the first time they plucked up the courage to ride down it and up the other side - probably relieved and proud.
Music was blaring and, again, not a cellphone in sight.
The sunken gardens looked beautiful, with huge colourful poppies swaying in the breeze.
Every part of Marine Parade was busy. There was a circus on, which added to the buzz.
I'm looking forward to going back to the same spot on a warmer day and sitting somewhere to enjoy the beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
We should count ourselves lucky to have such fantastic facilities on our doorstop - all of it free.
I can't wait to see what the Napier City Council, Weta Workshop and Air New Zealand do with the National Aquarium of New Zealand.
* Linda Hall is Hawke's Bay Today's assistant editor
