Photo: Brimbank City Council

Brimbank Mayor Cr Lucinda Congreve said Council had awarded the tender for the playground upgrade which would transform The Lakes Reserve into a vibrant, green space for people to relax, play and enjoy activities.

“This is such an exciting project for Taylors Lakes and for people across Brimbank who travel to enjoy our beautiful parks.

“People use our parks to spend time with family and friends, enjoy picnics and barbecues, exercise or just play with the kids.

“This new park will make it easier to share this space and enjoy a range of activities,” Cr Congreve said.

A new activity and leisure area will expand the area surrounding the existing tennis court to include exercise equipment, an obstacle course, a table tennis table, a basketball half-court, and a kick-a-ball space.

“Having a healthy, active community is so important to Brimbank. By creating spaces like this we’re making it easier for people to enjoy a variety of fun activities,” Cr Congreve said. 

Once completed the park will also include:

• upgraded playground with new equipment
• an irrigated picnic lawn
• a large additional shelter with an extra barbecue
• improved views and a more open feel across the park, providing enhanced safety.

Alongside the park upgrade, Council is also improving the shared user path on the south side of the lakes from Kings Road via Parmelia Drive to Sunshine Avenue.

Council has funded $2.13 million for these works through its 2018/2019 Capital Works Budget.

The Lakes Reserve park upgrade is supported by the Victorian Government, which contributed $250,000 through Sports and Recreation Victoria’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund. Council’s adopted 10- Year Capital Works Program includes an allocation of an additional $960,000 for this project in 2019/2020, subject to the Annual Budget approval.

The upgrade is part of Council’s Creating Better Parks Policy and Plan.

While work is underway, the playground and picnic areas will be closed and path access may be restricted, however public toilets will be accessible through most of the construction period.

Work is due to begin in April with the park is expected to reopen in late 2019 (subject to weather). While The Lakes Reserve is temporarily out of action, why not take the opportunity to explore some of Brimbank’s other fantastic parks?

Cliff Harvey Lagoon Reserve in Keilor is a Flagship Park featuring a high quality playground, shelters, barbecues, picnic tables and toilets. Other nearby parks with barbecues include:

• Verona Drive Reserve, Taylors Lakes
• Delahey Recreation Reserve, in Yeats Drive Sydenham
• Packard Street Reserve, Keilor Downs
• Roseleigh Reserve, Rose Hedge Drive, Sydenham
• Delbridge Drive Reserve, Sydenham.