This included feedback about car parking, lighting, flood control and paths.

When asked what our community liked about the parks, we heard that our community:

• perceive the parks to be safe environments for families, children and pets
• appreciate the accessible location
• enjoy the gravel and unpaved walking paths for walking, jogging and cycling.

“Wide open spaces. Easy to get around. It feels safe because there are lots of other people and activities.”

“I love the walking paths around the sports grounds and being able to have my dog off lead.”

When asked about their least favourite thing about the parks, our community said there is:

• not enough car parking and there are traffic issues at peak times
• inadequate lighting, particularly during winter, which can be limiting for sporting schedules and recreation (like walking, dog walking and jogging)
• poor drainage along paths.

“Parking! On a Saturday morning it is very difficult to get a park.”

“Bad Lighting across the park.”

This included feedback about the natural environment, park amenities (like the playground and Scout Hall), dog walking, signage and cultural heritage.

When asked what our community liked about the parks, we heard that our community:

• like the abundance of trees and greenery which contribute to a serene atmosphere
• like the passive open spaces for relaxation, enjoyment and recreation
• consider the playground to be popular among families with children.

“The green spaces are vast and beautiful with the trees. Community atmosphere. It just has a good vibe with all the birds and natural areas.”

“Very open, lot of areas of grass and great playground.”

When asked about their least favourite thing about the parks, our community said that:

• poor control of dogs off-lead creates safety concerns for other park users
• there is a desire for more passive amenities in open spaces, like picnic tables and seats
• signage and routes could be improved throughout the parks.

“No sheltered sitting/picnic area near the playground.”

“I would like better signage about where dogs must be on lead, and where they can be off lead. I think they must be on lead along the paths.”

This included feedback about netball, cricket, soccer and baseball facilities, as well as pavilions and toilets.

When asked what our community liked about the parks, our community said:

• they appreciate the diversity of sporting opportunities at the parks
• the grounds are well-maintained to support sporting activity
• the precinct is a place to improve health, wellbeing and social connections.

“Organised sport facility for my children where they can participate in sport in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.”

“The local atmosphere - community sport.”

When asked about their least favourite thing about the parks, our community said:

• the pavilions and toilet facilities do not meet their standards
• there is a need for upgraded sports facilities, including improved surfaces
• they would like more sheltered areas for viewing and spectating.

“Toilets lacking. Poor club room facilities.”

“Sometimes very muddy and not enough seating when watching sporting games.”

Some participants expressed mixed views about the cricket pitches on the ovals.

“Love Myrtle Park, it's such a beautiful ground and it has one of the best cricket tables in the ECA. The ground is always in beautiful condition, and it drains very well when it rains.”

“The cricket pitches in the middle of the ground make it very difficult to train properly as the ball bounces differently and you cannot tackle safely on the cricket pitch.”

The baseball and soccer clubs advocated for turf enhancements. They suggested using artificial and hybrid turfs.

Others felt artificial and hybrid turfs could adversely affect cricket clubs who use the parks and those who use the space for recreation.

“Synthetic soccer turf would be a dream!”

“…under no circumstances should Macleay 3 be converted from current mixed use (cricket, soccer, jogging etc) to a soccer only ground or to artificial turf which will impliedly achieve the same result.”

Most participants said they preferred unsealed gravel paths throughout the parks, particularly the east-west link along the northern boundary of the park. However, some said they’d prefer sealed bicycle paths through the parks.

Sealed bicycle paths are not being considered as part of this master plan.

This is because in Boroondara’s parks and open spaces, our approach is to maintain and upgrade existing unsealed gravel paths. We do this because:

• we want to preserve the natural environment
• informal shared paths are mostly used for recreation and local trips
• more pedestrians use the paths compared to bicycle riders.

This is consistent with Council’s position outlined in the Boroondara Bicycle Strategy 2022-32.