Councillor Angela O'Leary said it would be "short-sighted" of the city council to withdraw support for Destination Playgrounds.

Hamilton City Council's Playgrounds of the Future plan may meet a premature demise, with councillors instead looking to tighten the purse strings.

The plan, first introduced in 2010, has been caught in the crossfire of budget discussions.

City councillor Geoff Taylor said the $1 million price tag for the approved Hare Puke Park "verges on obscene".

DOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF Councillor Geoff Taylor said spending $1m on the Hare Puke Park "verges on obscene".

But councillor Angela O'Leary​ said the figure was realistic, with initial Destination Playgrounds costing between $1m to $1.3m.

READ MORE:

* Northeast playground decision challenged by Hamilton mayor

* Councillors question future destination playgrounds for Hamilton

* Two-playground plan considered for northeast Hamilton

A "destination-type" playground for Hare Puke Park in Flagstaff had been given the green light, but O'Leary​ fears this may be the last Destination Playground constructed under the current council.

HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL/BESPOKE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS A concept design for a $1m playground in Hare Puke Park, presented to Hamilton City Councillors in September.

"Destination-type is the key," she said. "I don't know what that means.

"Staff reports are being a little vague and that's what happens when you deviate from decisions that have already been made."

The Destination Playgrounds were due to be completed by 2030 with Moonlight Drive Reserve.

If the Playgrounds of the Future plan is culled, five other locations will remain bare, including Hillcrest, Bremworth and Te Manatu Park.

O'Leary​ said the plan has been thrown out the window.

"This is not a coffee table book. This was a well-thought out plan we consulted on in the 2015 ten year budget," she said.

"We've got a budget in the plan for another five and they are all going to miss out."

O'Leary​ said the demise of the plan was brought to her attention by Hamilton Mayor Andrew King, who said the majority of councillors were against pursuing the project.

Even though a new mayor and councillors sit in the chamber, it doesn't mean they can turn around on every promise, she said.

"I guess they are goneburger​ and I just don't understand that.

"I think it's incredibly short-sighted and arrogant to chuck it out when we've committed to it and it's what people want.

"Ratepayers have been asking for this for a long time. It's their money. If they want Destination Playgrounds then it's up to us to make that happen.

"I think it is a tragedy, I really do."

﻿King will present his draft budget this month and the following three months will see elected members putting forward proposals.

O'Leary said she would continue to fight for Destination Playgrounds.

It is early next year when people can have their say on the plan.

A Facebook group called Save Hamilton's Destination Playgrounds has been formed with 150 people showing their support.

As well as the destination-type playground for Hare Puke Park, a smaller playground for Te Huia Reserve has been approved for $150,000.