Newcastle council has temporarily closed Stockton's popular new playground less than six months after it opened.
The council said on Monday that the playground had been fenced off to allow contractors to "reduce ongoing maintenance" and replace damaged equipment.
Vandals burnt a hole in the slide and set fire to a bin last week.
The Newcastle Herald has been told sand from the playground has affected the adjacent skate park
"New parts, which must meet specific design guidelines, have been ordered in, and it is expected that work to replace the damage will be complete by early October," a council spokesperson said.
"Work will also involve installing a rubberised Softfall surface. This will improve safety and reduce ongoing maintenance at the highly popular playground."
The $2 million "Stockton activity hub" opened in April and was funded, in part, by a $450,000 grant from the state government's Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund.
The council changed the original design of the hub to address concerns about noise.
The hub includes a flying fox, slides, climbing nets, swings, barbecue facilities, a sheltered picnic area and skate ramps.
