At yesterday’s long-term plan hearing, submitter Tim Vick told councillors upgrading three of Dunedin’s playgrounds to destination status was the "wrong way to go".
He suggested the council focus on developing one destination playground at Woodhaugh Gardens.
The council has decided to create three such playgrounds, proposing $11.22 million be allocated in the long-term plan to redevelop playgrounds in Marlow Park ($4.62m), Woodhaugh ($3.53m) and Mosgiel ($3.07m).
The council’s consultation document describes destination playgrounds as large, catering to all ages and abilities and offering something "unique" to attract large numbers of residents and visitors.
However, Mr Vick said splitting the budget to build three "good" playgrounds would not have the impact of one well-funded, "suburb" destination playground — "do it once, do it really well".
"You are not going to have the same impact."
"A destination playground should be just that — a single destination."
Woodhaugh was more centrally located and more sheltered than the proposed Mosgiel and Marlow Park sites.
The best comparison Dunedin could have was Christchurch’s Margaret Mahy Family Playground, which his family would go out of their way to get to, Mr Vick said.
"The reason you go to this place is the park, it’s not for the other things that may or may not already be there."
The hearings are expected to run for the rest of the week.
