Sustained advocacy from Glen Eira City Council will see the former East Bentleigh Traffic School site transformed into a vibrant new community space, after the Council secured a $250,000 Victorian Government grant for the works.
Closed since December 2022, the popular local site will be reborn as a new safe, inclusive and imaginative park.
Glen Eira Mayor, Simone Zmood said the community had made it clear that they wanted the site brought back into public use by supporting Council’s nomination in the state’s Pick My Park grant process.
“When the traffic school closed, our community made it clear they wanted to see this special place reopened,” Mayor Zmood said.
“Council listened, we advocated strongly to the Victorian Government, and we are proud to have secured this funding to deliver a park that honours the past while meeting the needs of today’s families.”
The $250,000 grant will see the former traffic school transformed into a multi-use park that retains its iconic learn to ride layout, while upgrading paths and adding imaginative mini-city play features, nature play areas and spaces for families to gather.
“In a developed municipality like Glen Eira, every piece of quality open space matters. This new park will not only preserve a site full of local memories — it will create new ones, while supporting active transport, inclusion and lifelong learning,” Mayor Zmood said.
The park will feature accessible paths, non-competitive play areas and inclusive elements that support participation by children of all ages and abilities, as well as carers. More than just a playground, it will provide a safe environment where children can practise riding bikes and scooters, learn about road rules through play and build confidence before heading onto local streets and shared paths, the Council said.
