This is a priority initiative identified in Council’s Places for People: Public Space Strategy 2022 – 2032 (Action: ‘improve integration of play area into landscape including cognitive and creative play elements.’)

A safety audit also identified that the play equipment at Sol Green Reserve is nearing the end of its lifespan. We have taken this opportunity to also explore other ways to improve the park and strengthen its role as a community space that responds to local needs.

The existing playground is due for renewal based on its age and condition. It has been monitored through the weekly maintenance program and has undergone a number of repairs in the recent months.

The existing BBQ and drinking fountain area will remain, with upgrades to tables as part of this project. New tables will be made from timber.

The project will improve vegetation and greening within the Reserve, and the design will be developed to minimise the impact on existing established tress. An arborist will be engaged to provide advice.

The community centre is outside the scope of this project. Planning for any changes to facilities will be undertaken in line with the corresponding policies and processes. The inside of the Community Centre has been updated in the last four years.

The Places for People: Public Space Strategy 2022-2023 included an action to:

Upgrade the park and play space to improve the character and quality of facilities, strengthening its role as a local community space. Investigate opportunities to enlarge the reserve through reallocation of road space. Further consultation to occur on removal of car parking.

A feasibility study was conducted to investigate opportunities to extend the Reserve into the surrounding streets through the reallocation of road space and removal of parking. The study concluded that:

• the full street could not be closed as it would remove access to residential properties
• there would be a high impact to parking as the existing spaces are heavily used and their removal will create more disruption rather than added useable space
• a partial closure of Coventry street (making it one-way) would not provide additional usable park land due to the mature trees and the location of the building.
• A north/south bicycle connection along the reserve side of Montague Street is being considered as part of the Fisherman’s Bend project and would require future parking removals. This bike lane is not part of the current project however, there may be an opportunity to reconsider the expansion of the park at a later date in line with these works.

Works are anticipated to commence early 2025.

The works are expected to be finished by June 2025.

This feedback will inform the final design of the Reserve.

It is one of the elements that will help inform the design of the Reserve, along with other factors such as Council strategies, Australian Standards, cost and environmental considerations.

We want to ensure that those impacted by any proposed changes have input into this process. We have a survey on this webpage, which we encourage you to fill in. You can also do the 'quick poll' to give us your general feeling about the proposal.

To ensure the community is aware of the project, we have sent letters to houses surrounding the Reserve, installed signage on site, and are hosting two on-site opportunities to chat to us in person at the Reserve.