By Mikayla van Loon
Chirnside Park is now home to one of the most unique parks in the southern hemisphere, with the newest urban playground and reserve officially open.
The development of Belsay Reserve on Kimberley Drive has transformed the once bare space into a flight themed playspace, with a wetland, walking paths and barbecue facilities.
Perhaps the most exciting feature is the hot air balloon play equipment, the first of its kind in Australia and south of the equator.
“The designers said the only other one that has been done is in Europe somewhere, so there’s no balloons like that anywhere else,” Yarra Ranges councillor Richard Higgins said.
“We all see the balloons go past and that’s where it came from. Everybody knows about the balloons and sees them. It’s just something special for the area, it’s something special for the kids.”
The project, despite being approved in the masterplan in April 2021, had first been introduced as an idea in the Chirnside Park urban design master plan in 2010.
“I started the plans a long time ago when I first became a councillor. I kept pushing and pushing and we needed the money to get it off the ground,” Cr Higgins said.
“We had a few little delays, we had to buy some land off of the shopping centre, and that took a while.
“It just progressed and progressed, but I knew eventually it’d come together and be a really good asset for Chirnside Park because we needed something special for people to come to and be part of.”
When the park’s master plan was approved by councillors in 2021, Cr Higgins said a park of this kind was absolutely necessary for residents and visitors.
“There’s no hiding from the fact that, in the future, Chirnside Park will have higher density living – there’s room for it, and it’s in the planning scheme,” he said at the time.
“In time, this park will become an absolute necessity for the people who live in this area. It’s really badly needed and will be used for many years, so it’s an absolute privilege to see this get up and running.”
Yarra Ranges Council received $2.25 million from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, which was matched by the council, with the total $4 million construction project awarded to Warrandale Industries.
Enhancing the former vacant block not only as a playspace but as a gathering place for families and community groups, the intention of the park design was to make it a key attraction in the municipality.
“It’s known as a regional park so it’s the biggest park we design. It’s the size of Lillydale Lake and Queens Park in Healesville and the idea is they’re made not just for locals but for other people who come along,” Cr Higgins said.
“Everyone knows to go up to Seville waterworld, hopefully they’ll come down here.”
Other features of the reserve include a flying fox, sensory play, trampolines and educational placards about various flight animals.
As the build happened, Cr Higgins said the best part was seeing the excitement grow on the children’s faces.
“The kids were all lined up looking through the fence for weeks waiting to come in,” he said.
The project was finished just in time for the winter school holidays, with Cr Higgins saying weekends are “absolutely packed” down at Chirnside Urban Park.
The official opening was held on Wednesday 17 July.
