Project background

In November and December 2025, Council invited community ideas and feedback to help shape upgrades to the play space at St Kilda Botanical Gardens. We asked people what they value about the existing play space, which features should be retained, upgraded or removed, and what new play opportunities they would like to see.

Later, in 2026, we also worked with local school students and key stakeholders, including the Port Phillip EcoCentre and the Friends of St Kilda Botanical Gardens, to further explore ideas and aspirations for the play space.

We have used this feedback to develop a draft concept design that aims to reflect the community's vision for the play space.

What did we ask?

In our engagement activities in 2025, we asked community members:

• what they love about the existing play space
• what features should be retained, improved or removed
• what new play opportunities they would like to see.

What did we hear from the community?

Community members told us they value:

• the play space's connection to the Botanical Gardens
• mature trees and the natural environment
• heritage features and artworks
• the spacious layout
• imaginative and creative play opportunities
• the unique character of the play space.

The most common suggestions for improvement were:

• more climbing opportunities
• additional nature play
• water, imaginative and sensory play experiences
• improved accessibility
• more seating, shade and picnic facilities
• play opportunities for a wider range of ages and abilities.

A strong theme throughout the feedback was the desire to upgrade ageing equipment while retaining the distinctive character, heritage qualities and connection to nature that make the play space unique.

To find out more about what we heard from the community in 2025, read the engagement report.

What did we hear from local school students?

In 2026 we did further work with local school students from St Kilda Primary School and Elwood Primary School to understand what kind of play space they wanted to see.

Students' feedback highlighted a desire for adventurous, nature-based and imaginative play experiences, including climbing, balancing, exploration, creative play and stronger connections with nature. Accessibility, inclusion and spaces for children with different interests and abilities were also important themes.

How did feedback help shape the draft concept design?

The draft concept design includes many of the things community members and local students told us are important.

The design:

• keeps popular features such as the heritage rotunda, artworks, jungle gym, rocket climbing structures and the overall playground layout
• includes more climbing opportunities
• adds nature play and sensory play experiences
• improves access with new pathways and inclusive play features
• provides new seating, gathering spaces and other amenities
• includes more landscaping and planting to strengthen the connection to the Botanical Gardens
• creates more opportunities for imaginative, creative and exploratory play
• provides spaces for active play, social connection and quiet relaxation.

While we couldn't include every idea, the feedback we received played an important role in shaping the overall vision and design. Some suggestions could not be included because of site constraints, heritage requirements, safety and accessibility standards, maintenance considerations and the available budget.

To view the draft concept design, head back to the main project page.

What happens next?

We're now seeking feedback on the draft concept design before detailed design begins.

Your feedback will help us understand whether we've responded to what the community told us and identify any refinements that should be considered before the design is finalised.

Take a look at the draft concept design and tell us whether we've got it right.