The opening was attended by Moruya Public School support classes, who use the playground at least twice a week.

The Eurobodalla Shire Council revamped the playground to double its previous size.

A council spokeswoman said the site now catered for children of all abilities, boasting a range of swings and slides, a climbing frame with rock wall, a sandpit with diggers, talk tube, balancing logs, a unique log ladder bridge, and new softfall.

She said parents were also catered for: “the area is fully fenced and features two gazebos, plenty of seating and picnic tables”.

Moruya Public School assistant principal Rosie Spoelder said council had asked teachers for their input into the playground design, and they were grateful for the result.

“Part of our curriculum is physical activity so we’ve been using the existing playground for years on a weekly basis,” Ms Spoelder said.

“We were really excited when we heard it was going to be upgraded.

“Safety was a priority for us and we also wanted it to be for all-abilities, which is what we got.”

Student Leo De Graaf said he loved the new playground, particularly the sandpit. His dad Martin said the playground had a good range of equipment and was good for kids with disability.

”It’s excellent that it’s fenced,” Mr De Graaf said.

“Before you could look away for a second and the kids would take off across the oval or up to the road. The fence also shows kids their boundaries – they feel good that they know where to go.”

A council spokeswoman said the Gundary Oval fencing and playground equipment built on work at the Corrigans inclusive playground in Batehaven, and Rotary Park at Narooma.

“This fulfils a commitment for a fenced playground in each of the shire’s major centres,” she said.

Vandals strike

A council spokeswoman said parks and gardens staff were stunned on Monday morning to find the new playground at Gundary Oval vandalised.

She said the seat on the basket swing and one of the diggers had both been broken over the weekend. The swing was fixed immediately but the digger has been removed for now. A  playground gate was also destroyed   been replaced.

Playgrounds are checked weekly by council staff but residents who notice any vandalism can contact council to inspect parks immediately. Anyone with information about the Gundary Oval vandalism should contact police.