More to enjoy at local playgrounds

Work has already been completed at Garfield Recreation Reserve, O’Neil Road Oval and Don Jackson Reserve, while Lakeside Park in Pakenham, Alma Treloar Reserve in Cockatoo and PB Ronald Reserve in Pakenham are on track to have playgrounds completed this summer.

Council was awarded $700,000 though the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs fund for the upgrade of the six playgrounds, identified in Council’s play space strategy. Council is also contributing a further $200,000 towards the projects, bringing the total budget to $900,000.

Additional work including seating, paths and landscaping will also be funded by Council once the play equipment is installed.

These upgrades add to the new neighbourhood playgrounds council constructed this year at Melissa Way Reserve in Pakenham and Cardinia Recreation Reserve in Cardinia at an investment of $50,000 each.

The design of each of the new play spaces was directly informed by the feedback received from the local community.  Council has worked with thousands of residents across the Shire to determine the outcomes for the playground renewal program this year.

Alma Treloar Reserve

Works are expected to start in the coming weeks and are due for completion in November. They include the relocation of the playground to a more central location within the reserve.

Key features of the new playground include:

• activity net
• insect four-way springer
• ladybug springer
• pommel walk
• rock and climbing walls
• rope bridge, ladder and nets
• roty spinner
• slides
• three-bay swings
• tractor play unit.

Council conducted face-to-face consultation with residents of all ages at the Cockatoo Market, local kindergartens and primary schools about what the new playground should feature. Council also received eighty-eight responses via an online survey.

Following this feedback, six playground designs were put back out to the community for further feedback and voting. Council received 625 votes for the six options with the winning design receiving 402 votes.

Garfield Recreation Reserve

Completed in June, the upgrade includes two new play spaces and three picnic settings. The old tractor was also preserved and relocated to the site of the new community garden a short distance away.

O’Neil Road Oval, Beaconsfield 

To open in early September, this new playground includes a flying fox, trampoline, basket swing and a basketball ring.

Don Jackson Reserve

Completed in September, it includes a new larger playground, fitness equipment and a basketball ring. 

Lakeside Park

Due for completion this summer, community consultation on the design is in progress.

PB Ronald Reserve

Due for completion this summer. Community consultation on the design is in progress.