Seeking community input in updating its Creating Better Parks – Open Space and Playground Policy and Plan, the council has hinted at the creation of “cafes and/or coffee facilities at municipal/flagship parks”.
The updated plan, aimed at identifying “new opportunities and any gaps in the current plan”, also signals consideration of cycling infrastructure and skate facilities.
The council will look at creating a community resource group and will contact about 300 Brimbank community members for expressions of interest.
Council infrastructure and environment director Paul Younis would not say which parks would be targeted.
“Other councils have introduced cafes in parks,” he said. “These are managed in various ways, including private businesses under a contract arrangement with the council. Council has not considered at which parks, if any, this type of service may be provided.
“The aim is to first ask the community what they want from the parks.”
He said the inclusion of cycling and skating facilities in the updated plan had been driven by local associations such as bicycle user group Brimbug.
“An example of how this could be included is the recent proposed draft Ardeer Green Activity Hub Master Plan, which proposes a criterion circuit, BMX track and dirt bike jumps,” Mr Younis said.
“Council has recently sought community input into this proposal and will now finalise the master plan for adoption.”
The council may also take into consideration studies being undertaken by Deakin University and the Cancer Council on “usage impacts” following park upgrades.
With 83 parks upgraded in Brimbank since 2008, council says park usage has increased “significantly”.
