We received some great community feedback for the renewal of Malcolm Blair Reserve playground through an online survey and emails directly to the Open Space Planning Team. Thank you for your comments and suggestions about the space. The design was well received by the community and they felt it targeted their needs.

Some discussion points from the your feedback include:

• Inclusion of shade: Tree planting was included as part of the playground replacement to provide more natural shade to the space.
• Toddler accessibility: The main play unit includes a set of small stairs that are accessible for toddlers to climb to the small slide.
• Exercise equipment and toilets: This items are not part of the scope of this project due to site limitations and budget constraints.

Construction of Malcolm Blair Reserve playground is now complete and open to the community.

Community engagement

From August - September 2023, we consulted with community and received great community feedback for the renewal of Malcolm Blair Reserve playground.

22 people provided feedback through an online survey and emails directly to the Open Space Planning Team. Thank you for your comments and suggestions about the space.

From the design options provided, a climbing cube was the most popular and has been incorporated into the design.

View the final concept design to see how your feedback was incorporated.

Some important points:

• Walking track: Our budget for the playground replacement does not extend to the construction of a path within the reserve.
• Tree Planting: Tree planting will be included as part of the playground replacement to provide more natural shade to the space.
• Basketball Court: We received a number of requests to improve the basketball court. A new backboard and refreshed line marking will be included in the upgrade.

We will provide a play space with a new and improved area to meet the needs of the local community.

The new playground will include:

• A new playground unit
• Seating
• BBQ (retained from previous space)
• Basketball court (retained from previous space)

As part of the improvement works for Malcolm Blair Reserve playground, we have undertaken a detailed site analysis. The site analysis helps us determine the opportunities and constraints for the project and helps the Open Space and Planning team develop a concept that aligns with the project budget, the playground classifications, Public Open Space Plan 2016-2031 and Council initiatives to provide Local Play Networks and Play Diversity (see definitions below).

The outcome has highlighted that the playground design will be constrained by the topography of the site. We will try to improve access where possible.

Key considerations for Malcolm Blair Reserve playground are:

• Connectivity - improving the location and layout of the picnic tables and seating so that it provides better connection to the playground.
• Seating and functionality - provide better seating and a path connecting the basketball court to the playground.
• Landscaping and shade - providing additional trees for increased shade.

Our intention is to provide a play space with a new and improved area to meet the needs of the local community.

Malcolm Blair Reserve is a large reserve located in Greensborough.

This parks is classified as a neighbourhood play spaces as outlined in playground classifications of our Public Open Space Plan 2016-2031. The park sits between St Helena Road and Weidlich Road and can be accessed from Layton Avenue, Melville Drive and Walnut Road, Greensborough. It contains a playground, baseball field, tennis courts, dog park, retarding basin and Briar Hill Pre-school.

Parks classified as neighbourhood play spaces are usually medium to substantial sized playgrounds, catering for a range of age groups and abilities.

The playground is well used by local families and those visiting the sports fields and is now scheduled for renewal. We are excited to continue to provide a high-quality playground experience at Malcolm Blair Reserve and would like your help to re-imagine the park for current and future users.

1. Play Networks: where there are several pocket or local playgrounds located within walking distance of each other, Council will endeavour to create a local play network by strengthening connection between playgrounds.
2. Play Diversity: Council will work towards providing a complete range of play experiences in each precinct. When designing, upgrading or replacing playgrounds, we will give consideration to the types of play experiences already available in the neighbourhood and include play experiences currently not available locally.