Last year, we asked our community members for ideas on how we might improve five Shire playgrounds we've flagged as needing accessibility (access) improvements and three we've identified as needing to be renewed.
Your feedback was given to our landscape design consultants, who were tasked with incorporating your ideas and suggestions into concept designs for the following playgrounds:
Playgrounds requiring access improvements
- Rye Community Playspace at Rye Foreshore
- Sorrento Park Playspace at Sorrento Park
- Hastings Foreshore Playspace at Fred Smith Reserve
- Lawson Park Playspace at 9 Leon Avenue, Rosebud
- Civic Court Reserve Playspace at 3025 Frankston-Flinders Road, Balnarring
Playgrounds requiring renewal
- Dusky Drive Reserve at Horizons Community Park, Safety Beach
- Currawong Community Park at Currawong Community Centre, Mornington
- Westernport Lions Club Park at Gaskin Avenue Reserve, Hastings
Based on your feedback, we're proposing a play mound and climbing equipment at Dusky Drive Reserve, a cubby and an accessible spinning and spring element at Westernport Lions Club Park, and sensory play pieces and a communication board at Currawong Community Park – just to name a few.
Playground concepts are now available for all community members to review. And we'd love to get your feedback once again. Have we got the initial concepts right or is there something else we need to consider? This is your chance to let us know.
To review and provide feedback on any of our playground concepts, visit:
mornpen.vic.gov.au/playgroundaccess
Hard copy feedback forms are also available on request at any of our Customer Service Centres at Hastings, Mornington and Rosebud.
Community consultation opens on 1 May and closes on 29 May 2024.
What happens next?
After the consultation closes, we'll share your comments with our landscape design team who will work to finalise concept designs. Once finalised, these concept designs will be used to apply for grant funding, which is needed to go ahead with detailed planning and building of the playgrounds.
What are playground access improvements?
Access improvements are tweaks to help make sure our existing playgrounds cater to all ages and levels of ability, including the needs of parents, carers and older people. Access improvements can include practical things like seating, shade areas, fencing, accessible carparks and inclusive options for play. While these may seem like minor improvements, these features often play a big role in whether a parent, carer or grandparent decides to visit or 'access' a playground.
What are playground renewals?
Playgrounds needing to be replaced due to their age or condition are flagged for renewal. This is an opportunity to reimagine the playspace based on the community's needs and to design and build a brand-new playground (subject to funding).
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Simon Brooks:
"Our community have told us they want safe, protected and inclusive playgrounds that keep children of all ages and abilities engaged and entertained. This aligns directly with the Shire's Playspace Strategy.
"We know our community care deeply about our playgrounds.
"We received many great suggestions during the initial community consultation stage, and much of this is reflected in our playground concept designs, now available to view.
"We had 134 community members submit initial ideas on how we can improve or completely reimagine our playgrounds to ensure they're inclusive and suitable for everyone. I encourage you to see what our landscape designers have come up with and to provide your feedback on our concept designs. Down the track, your input into these designs could very well help us to get external funding for these projects."
