Communities across Melbourne can now enjoy outdoor picnics on brand new picnic tables at 17 of their favourite parks.
Made from recycled plastic from Replas, the new picnic tables will save 5.67 tonnes of household and industrial plastic waste from going into landfill.
The picnic table roll-out will be followed by a combination of upgraded picnic shelters and toilets, carpark repairs, upgraded electric BBQs, replacement of playground equipment, improved signage, wider and more accessible pathways and trails at 21 parks in 2022 and 2023.
A first stage of works for the program were recently completed at Braeside and Cardinia Reservoir Parks, after receiving upgrades to picnic tables and shelters, drinking fountains, BBQs, toilets, signage and road repairs.
The program also involves extending the Bay Trail between Sanctuary Lakes and Point Cook Coastal Park and rejuvenating the historic sea wall at Point Gellibrand Coastal Park which will enable more families to ride their bikes further and enjoy the views and amenities at these stunning coastal parks.
The picnic table roll-out has been funded through the Victorian Government's $21 million Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program.
Visitation to parks in major metropolitan parks across Melbourne grew from 29.5 million visits in 2018-19 to 36 million visits in 2020-21, as more people sought the health and wellbeing benefits of being outdoors while staying close to home.
The parks which have received new recycled plastic picnic tables as part of the Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program are:
- Braeside Park
- Cardinia Reservoir Park
- Karkarook Park
- Mornington Peninsula National Park
- Yan Yean Reservoir Park
- Maroondah Reservoir Park
- Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Silvan Reservoir
- Jells Park
- Yarra Bend Park
- Banksia Park
- Westerfolds Park
- Birrarung Park
- Albert Park
- Point Cook Coastal Park
- Brimbank Park
- Greenvale Reservoir Park
One of the new tables installed at Point Cook Coastal Park
