Once filled with water and miniature boats, the frog pond at Foreshore Park is now filled with miniature people learning to ride.
As City of Newcastle plans to reduce and naturalise the former pond, Newcastle architect and father Eddie Page has unveiled an alternative vision that would preserve it as a learn-to-ride circuit.
Mr Page, who visits the pond several times a week to teach his four-year-old daughter Aurora to ride a bike, said its popularity had only grown since Sunnyboy Park kiosk opened nearby.
"This is a really great public asset that's already being used," he said.
"We can design all the great parks we like, but when something naturally becomes a wonderful space, why fix it if it isn't broken?"
Mr Page's plan includes repainting the frog pond, adding more trees and shaded areas around the sides.
Under City of Newcastle's Harbour Foreshore Masterplan, the pond would be reduced along its south-eastern edge.
The plan also proposes naturalising part of the site near the park's original freshwater source.
Initial community feedback was mixed, with some residents supporting its retention, others backing its removal and some suggesting it be repurposed for skating.
A City of Newcastle spokesman said it engaged extensively with the community to deliver a vision that is welcoming, accessible and activated.
The spokesman said community feedback on the masterplan design was "overwhelmingly positive".
"We have not received any correspondence from this community member in relation to his proposal for the frog pond, however, feedback received during the previous community engagement process informed the adopted masterplan, including provision for a paved multi-purpose skating, scootering and performance arts area at the base of the Shortland Lawn natural amphitheatre," he said.
Mr Page said he wanted to see if other Novocastrians were supportive of his idea.
"I'd love for council to consider it," he said.
"You don't need to change much to make this a more viable space, it's just about there already.
"I'm trying to get across that sometimes less is more when it comes to successful public spaces."
Mother-of-three Amy Hutchinson, who runs the family social media page The Everyday Club, said removing the pond would make the area less attractive for families with young children.
Ms Hutchinson said Mr Page's idea would be a "game-changer".
"Even from a connection standpoint as well, you want to find places where mums with kids of similar ages are playing," she said.
"Knowing there's somewhere where there will be other toddlers riding around on a bike or scooter, I can see it becoming a real community."
Ms Hutchinson said removing the pond, or filling it with water, would deter a lot of parents due to the risk it could create.
"A lot of mums are finding areas are not doable [for activities] because of bodies of water or a lack of fencing, or are places their toddler can play but their baby can't," Ms Hutchinson said.
On Wednesday, she joined mum-of-two Jen Verhoef for the first Newy Mums Gather event at Foreshore Park.
About 30 mothers turned up to the event, which will run every Wednesday at 9.30am.
Ms Verhoef said she specifically chose the pond because it offers a safe space for kids to ride around in a beautiful, open park with coffee nearby.
"I really wanted to start a mums' group that was free with no expectations," Ms Verhoef said.
"We've had tears here this morning in all the best ways, and hugs, it's been really beautiful."
Jacey Pryjma has three kids aged seven, four and a nine-week-old.
Ms Pryjma said the enclosed space gave young children somewhere safe to build confidence away from older riders.
"That doesn't really exist in Newcastle," Ms Pryjma said.
The frog pond is located near the kiosk and the council's Foreshore Park playground, which is expected to open later this year.
