Yarra City Council says a new pocket park in Collingwood will give the local community a much-needed place to socialise, relax, connect with nature.
Mayor, Edward Crossland was joined by the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action Sheena Watt MLC, Wurundjeri Elder Bill Nicholson Jr and fellow Yarra City Councillors to officially open the new Collingwood space on Friday.
The Mayor said the completion of this project was a win for local community and businesses.
“The population of Collingwood is rapidly growing, and as the suburb with the lowest amount of open space in Yarra, the need for new open space is a priority for residents and Council.
“The Otter Street pocket park has been developed in consultation with our community and is a place for people to socialise, relax and connect with nature.
“The Victorian Government provided generous support for this project through their Local Parks Program. Yarra City Council contributed $675,000 and delivered this project, to ensure that the new Otter Street pocket park meets the community’s needs now, and into the future,” he said.
The space features a curved design, with grassy areas and seating, an upgraded toilet and several tree plantings which will grow to shade the area all year round.
Council has also incorporated creativity and art into the design, which features Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay/Gummaroi artist Reko Rennie’s patterned paving and text ‘Wurundjeri Bik. Always was, always will be’, acknowledging the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history of the area.
Yarra delivered Otter Street pocket park in partnership with the Victorian Government, who have supported the project with $1.19 million in funding, while Council invested a further $675,000 towards the project.
“We remain committed to pursuing creative ways to deliver precious open space for the Yarra community.”
“We will continue to advocate to the Victorian Government for further support to create more open space in Yarra.
“We are looking towards Charlotte Street pocket park next. Stay tuned for new open space projects in Yarra,” said Mayor Crossland.
