Warwick Long Bay playground was due to be closed for renovations from yesterday with work expected to take three to four weeks.

A spokesperson for the Department of Parks said: "After almost 14 years of constant use the old playground equipment will be removed and totally renovated with new equipment.

"Over the last several years, despite weekly maintenance, the playground has become increasingly harder to maintain due to heavy use, its exposed location and availability of spare parts for these particular pieces.

"The Department of Parks has assessed that the play equipment has now come to the end of its natural life and that there is an opportunity to enrich the play experience of visiting children with new equipment."

The new play equipment is made of totally recycled plastic and secured with stainless steel fixings. According to the spokesperson: "Not only does the use of recyclable materials support the Ministry's mandate to protect the environment, there are added benefits including the reduction in maintenance, cost of repair and the extension of the life of the playground."