By BRIDGET SCOTT
Residents say improvements have done little to make their park appealing…
DESPITE a huge redevelopment to Pakenham’s Bourke Park, locals are no closer to swinging by the updated grounds.
At the start of the year, Cardinia Shire Council began a huge upgrade to the park located between Station Street and Railway Avenue in Pakenham.
This included two playgrounds, two shelters with picnic settings, an automated toilet block and two barbecues.
However, despite these upgrades, locals are still hesitant to make use of the park.
On the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette Facebook page residents were divided about how the space should have been used, and some expressed their hesitation to visit the area.
Marcus suggested that the space be redeveloped all together and made into a car park, while Belinda said that she wished the council had used some of its funds to return John Street to its “former glory”.
Many others agreed they would still not visit the park despite its upgrades.
Shaara said it seemed too dangerous, whereas some others disagreed, including Vanessa who said the council had done a wonderful job with the upgrades.
Council’s open space co-ordinator Kevin Alexander said the idea behind the upgrade was to transform a place which was previously a haven for anti-social behaviour to a community park with many facilities.
He said the feedback from about 180 community members influenced what would be included in the revitalisation.
He said since the new additions, it’s expected the visitors to the park will diversify and increase.
“There has already been a significant increase in both the number and diversity of people using the park,” he said.
“It is expected that this will increase further once all works are complete and the community can fully enjoy the facilities.
“The full impact of the revitalisation will be more apparent over the next six months.”
He said the new playground has meant the park has welcomed many new families and other aspects of the park have attracted different age groups.
“One of the earliest additions was the new playground which has brought more families and children into the park,” Mr Alexander said.
“This higher use by families was a goal of the project and council is already pleased with the number of community members using the park.”
“The Bourke Park Street Art project has also allowed local young people to get involved with the revitalisation and council has seen a significant reduction in graffiti in the park since the street art project commenced.”
Mr Alexander said the council is confident that the park will soon lose the negative stigma attached to it, and the increased amount of people expected to use the park will be a deterrent for anti-social behaviour in itself.
Bourke Park will be officially reopened to the community on Friday 6 June, with free activities to run from 3pm until 5pm.
Mayor Graeme Moore and Minister for Crime Prevention Edward O’Donohue will deliver official speeches from 4pm.
