"In time I'd imagine there'd have to be a more significant area like this in Hastings, too.
"We've set a very high standard for the future."
People wanted good playground facilities and the Hastings District Council would look at providing that, he said.
The opening showed just how important the playground would be to the entire district, with more than 1000 people attending.
"That's the measure of success.
"It's such a great space right in the middle of an urban setting."
Havelock North resident Wendy Spencer said the best thing about the playground was that it suited such a wide age range of children.
John Fickling, also of Havelock North, said that when he was a child the playground had two swings, which were fun, but children who got to play on the new equipment were "incredibly lucky".
"This is a whole different era."
The playground revamp also included the relocation of the historic Havelock North cricket pavilion onto the site.
The community was tasked with raising half of an estimated $300,000 cost for the pavilion to be shifted. It was renamed the Mackersey Family Pavilion, following the family's contribution of $150,000 to the project.