We have been allowed to update things like official murals. They are sometimes one of the exceptions to the rule so long as they are official.
The remodeled Playground is still a representation of the Playground wayspot. This would just be a photo edit since the only thing that changed was the look.
No its not, this would be a location edit. Since the Statute/Monument still exists, just in a different spot. Help chat can assist with larger moves than the games allow.
While I can understand the confusion on how trying to change the old restaurant poi into the restaurant poi is repurposing and therfore abuse when compared to the above examples, its probably due to restaurants being in a grey area. They might meet criteria if they are unique and a great place to Socialize but if they are just a generic chain restaurant they wouldnt meet criteria. I wouldnt bet that this example is a generic chain though off a quick glance. Wpuld be worth trying to submit it as its own wayspot but as you pointed out:
Thats due to Ingress now being split from wayfarer as far as submissions go due to the Scopely buy of PoGo/Wayfarer/Campfire etc:
Important Update Regarding Wayfarer & Ingress