Thank you to everyone who took part in the first round of consultation for the new playground design at Dorothy Laver Reserve East.

We’ve listened to your suggestions and a draft design is ready for you to review.

We’d love to hear your thoughts—are we on the right track?

You can tell us your thoughts in these ways:

  • call us on 9278 4444 or email boroondara@boroondara.vic.gov.au

This consultation on the draft design closed on Thursday 19 December.

Overview of the draft design

We've listened to your suggestions and plan to replace some of the things you love playing on with new versions. The new equipment includes the:

  • track glide
  • monkey bars
  • tunnel
  • play unit with platforms, slides and castle roofs
  • the toddler and strap swings
  • climber
  • spring rocker.

In the new playground area, we're proposing to include:

  • turnover bars
  • a basket swing
  • a toddler play cubby.
  • improved seating overlooking the playground
  • a picnic table setting inside the playground
  • a drinking fountain.

Some features our community told us they would like to see could not be included in the design, such as:

  • fencing
  • shade structures
  • public toilets

This is because Dorothy Laver Reserve East’s playground is classified as a local playground in our Playground Development Strategy.

A playground’s category determines the budget, design focus and scope of the upgrade. Read more about this on Upgrading Boroondara’s playgrounds page.

During consultation, many people told us that they did not use the barbecue frequently at Dorothy Laver Reserve East. As a result of this feedback, we're removing the barbecue.

View the draft design

All equipment and surface treatments shown are subject to community feedback, final budget review, authority approvals and site conditions.

Images and illustrations in the slider below and the hotspot map are examples only and may change.

Current playground: Dorothy Laver Reserve Playground. Proposed playground design: Dorothy Laver Reserve Playground render of the green and cream castle-theme playground.

You can view key proposed features of the draft design by selecting the hotspots on this map.

Dorothy Laver Reserve Sitemap

Why we’re building a new playground

The playground needs an upgrade because the current play equipment is ageing. The posts in the main timber play structures are starting to rot and need to be replaced.

Our aim is to:

  • build a playground which meets the needs of children and families into the future
  • offer a diverse range of play activities, experiences and equipment
  • improve accessibility around the playground.

We expect to start building the new playground in the 2026-27 financial year.

Our progress so far

In August and September 2024, we invited you to participate in a survey so that we could better understand:

  • what you like about the current playground
  • what play equipment you would like to keep
  • what you'd like to see added or improved.

We used your feedback to create a draft design for the new playground.

We heard from 30 community members during the consultation. Of those who participated:

  • 69% were women
  • 52% were between the ages of 35 and 49
  • 83% live in the Ashburton and Glen Iris area and are close to the playground.

You shared great insights with us about how you, your child or your family use the playground. We heard:

  • 78% want us to keep most of the play equipment and upgrade it. The track glide is the favourite play item, followed by the tunnel and monkey bars.
  • You prefer a playground that caters to all ages. The current playground is designed for younger children, and many families no longer visit because of this. Most respondents would like to see the new design cater to a wider range of ages, from toddlers through to children 8 years or older.
  • The castle theme is loved by locals. We asked you to rate its importance on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 59% of respondents rating its importance as 3 or more stars.

This sentiment is particularly strong among those who grew up in the area and played at the playground as children. Many participants also shared with us that the playground is fondly referred to as "The Castle Park."

  • 29 people participated in an online survey
  • 1 person shared their feedback by calling us.
  • Social media: We posted information about the consultation on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
  • Postcards: We distributed postcards to households located within 250 metres of the playground.
  • On-site signage: We placed posters around the playground and at the local Maternal Child Health Centre. The posters included a QR code linked to this consultation page.
  • Boroondara Bulletin: The consultation featured in the 'Have your say' column in the August / September edition. The Boroondara Bulletin is our community magazine and contains information on news and events in our city.
  • Email from Your Say Boroondara consultation website: We sent an email to everyone who has signed up to receive alerts about new consultations relevant to them. You can sign up for alerts at the top of this page.
  • Council e-newsletters: We promoted the consultation to thousands of community members who subscribe to the Fortnightly Feed e-newsletter. The Fortnightly Feed provides our community with quick and timely news online.