Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the Vin Heffernan Reserve nature play renewal.

The draft playground concept, developed using your feedback from stage 1 engagement, was shared on Shaping Banyule from 10-30 November 2025. We asked for feedback to learn what the community liked about the design and what could be improved. During this time, 93 people viewed the project page and six people left comments. They told us:

• They want the reserve to feel like a nature‑play and garden space with more engaging play opportunities.
• They want more seating for parents and carers, including informal options like logs.
• They want a swing added.

Based on this feedback, we've made small changes to the final playground concept. As the community supported the plan, we will go ahead with the design and engage a contractor to deliver the works.

View the full findings report.

Construction on the new playground will start in April/May 2026.

View below what the community told us during Stage 2 community engagement

Thank you to everyone who shared their local knowledge and ideas about Vin Heffernan Reserve.

54 people shared their local knowledge from 25 August 2025 to 12 September 2025:

• 31 people completed an online survey
• 11 people dropped a pin on a map to share how they use the space
• 7 adults and 5 children attended a pop-up conversation at the playground on 6 September 2025.
• 19 four-year-old kinder children drew what they wanted the park to be.

We heard that the reserve is a valued and a well-used community space.

View the Findings Report Summary.

Your favourite things about the park:

Key focus areas

You highlighted three key focus areas for improvement, which has guided the development of the draft nature play concept:

• The nature play is popular however limited. Some traditional pieces of equipment are desired to improve the play value over a broader age demographic.

• Delineation between the open space and path network from the playground.

• Improved lawn area.

View below what the community told us during Stage 1 community engagement

Vin Heffernan Reserve Playground is a small nature play area in Heidelberg Heights. It sits between Haig Street and Bonar Street and is surrounded by townhouses. We plan to update the playground in 2026 and want your ideas now to help design the new space.

Right now, the playground has timber play equipment like a big open play fort, balance beam, climbing poles and carvings of wombats and echidnas. It is part of a path network, with seats, plants and trees around it, and is very close to nearby homes.

Because it is a small nature play area, the upgrade will include one or two timber play pieces and will be designed for local children. It mainly serves families within a 400-metre walk.

For open space classifications refer to the Parks and Open Spaces homepage.

Thank you for your local knowledge and ideas for the nature play renewal. We have developed a draft nature play concept. Construction to start soon!

The draft playground concept reflects local knowledge and ideas shared with us during Stage 1 engagement in mid-2025. Your feedback told us that Vin Heffernan Reserve playground is important and well used by the community.

View 'what we heard' during Stage 1 community engagement in the 'Stage 1 engagement' tab

Proposed design

The nature play renewal aims to provide a place for local community to play and connect to the natural environment.

The main elements of the draft nature play concept are:

1. Play for a variety of ages

1.1 Basket swing
1.2 Timber and rope obstacle course
1.3 Sandpit under existing teepee
1.4 Relocation of existing native animal sculptures

2. New path connection

3. Garden bed hoop fencing

4. Garden beds with native and exotic planting.

Please note: The numbers for the key features match the numbers shown on the draft playground plan below.