By Mikayla van Loon
A Lilydale resident has addressed concerns about an outdated but well-used playground seeking the council’s commitment to include it in future upgrade plans.
The Stuart Reserve playground, located on Stuart Road Lilydale, was the subject of a submission made at the Yarra Ranges Council meeting on Tuesday 25 February by Ewan Hay.
Located within the junction of Victoria Road, Beresford Road, Maroondah Highway and Cave Hill Road, Mr Hay said this playspace was located in a highly populated residential area with not many options of reserves nearby.
“The area of Lilydale that I’m talking about is predominantly residential and with recent subdivisions and an increase in higher density living, particularly on Albert Hill Road, where there have been quite a number of subdivisions, it’s a growth area within Lilydale,” he said.
“I’m certainly not against that. I know and acknowledge that we do need higher density living within Victoria.
“Stewart road reserve is the only council green space and playground space within this area that I’ve mapped out between those four roads and should the children and families in that area wish to attend another playground, they need to cross one of those busy roads, and there are no safe crossing areas within that zone.”
Aside from local children regularly using the reserve and playspace, Mr Hay said it was also commonly used by the Bright Kids Early Learning Centre for its bush kinder as well as students of Victoria Road Primary School, before and after school.
“I myself live on one of the local streets, and we have a number of families in our street, and we have 15 children within five houses that use the playground itself. So it is quite a busy playground, despite it being quite a small one,” he said.
A plaque on the playground, Mr Hay said, cites the manufacture date as January 2002.
“Aside from a seesaw, it doesn’t offer anything for younger children, so the three to five year olds…and the only way onto the main section of the playground is via a rather precarious, curved ladder.
“There are no all abilities options within the playground, and the only slide on the playground is made of steel. So when the weather is above around 22 degrees, it makes it incredibly hot and puts the children at risk.
“It’s also lacking sunshade. Along the eastern and southern boundary of the park, there are large trees. However, after around 10am the sun rises to a point where there’s no shade on the playground itself.”
Having seen recent upgrades to the Queen Road Reserve and Carmen Court playgrounds in Lilydale, Mr Hay said it was a sign of what “can be achieved in a small space to create a fun and engaging playground for children of all ages”.
Mr Hay’s submission urged the council to consider the inclusion of this upgrade in projects for the next financial year.
According to the council’s Playspace Plan 2019-2029, Stuart Reserve was scheduled in the medium term renewal phase of five to 10 years into the plan.
Councillor Mitch Mazzarella confirmed he had spoken with built environment and infrastructure director Hjalmar Philipp.
“I have discussed with Mr Philipp the possibility of an upgrade down the line, particularly with money coming out of the Melba open space fund. So watch this space, and hopefully we will see some fantastic upgrades to this site,” he said.
