The City of Whittlesea has taken on a new masterplan to guide decisions about the Whittlesea Park for the next decade.
The Whittlesea Park Masterplan, consisting of 13 recommendations, was created by the City of Whittlesea in partnership with the Whittlesea Showgrounds and Recreation Reserve’s Committee of Management.
Located on a 25-hectare reserve in the Whittlesea township, the approved masterplan highlights upgrades to the reserve’s entrances and improvements to the playground to accommodate children of all ages.
Under the plan, council will build new picnic areas with barbecue facilities and construct a three-metre-wide circuit path, including pedestrian bridge crossings and fitness stations.
Playground and skate park users will benefit from new public toilets at the Walnut Street entrance, while dog owners will enjoy the upgrades to the existing off-leash dog park, the planting of additional trees and a quiet dog zone.
Access will be improved with the installation of new pedestrian bridge crossings over Scrubby Creek and Bruce Creek, and works to be done to the Whittlesea Showground from Beech Street.
Council has recieved $500,000 from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund to construct a new bridge over the Plenty River at the end of Laurel Street.
The plan also oversees a tree strategy to be formulated, providing an audit of all existing trees, and parking arrangements along Laurel, Forest, Walnut and Beech streets to be formalised.
Council and the committee of management will work with State Government partners to enrich the quality of vegetation along the waterways and develop an interpretive signage plan to encourage the cultural history of the area.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the master plan would develop the park as a significant place for all recreation activities in the Whittlesea township.
She said council would deliver the masterplan in stages, subject to future budgets and grant allocations.
“Council is committed to ensuring our parks meet the needs of our communities and support the active, outdoor lifestyles residents enjoy so much,” she said.
To view the master plan, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/whittleseapark.