In early 2021, Council sought ideas and feedback from the local community on a proposal to reclaim the open space from the demolished Oakleigh Scout Hall and create a pocket park at Cambridge Street Reserve, Oakleigh South.

An exciting draft concept plan was then created, which we sought feedback on from 5 May 2021 - 28 May 2021.

Construction commenced in March 2022.

In early 2021, Council sought ideas and feedback from the local community on a proposal to reclaim the open space from the demolished Oakleigh Scout Hall and create a pocket park at Cambridge Street Reserve, Oakleigh South.

An exciting draft concept plan was then created, which we sought feedback on from 5 May 2021 - 28 May 2021.

Following on from community consultation engagement opportunities, Council reviewed the draft concept design.

Thank you to those who provide feedback – it has helped to ensure that we deliver a project that is valued by the local community.

The feedback received outlined the community’s desire to include a traditional belt seat swing and a bucket seat toddler seat swing in the design, fencing the playground, the inclusion of a basketball hoop, flying fox, splash park and handball court and the inclusion of a public toilet. The project team met and discussed the feedback and amended the new detailed design to include a single two-swing (single and toddler seats).

The project team discussed fencing within the reserve to enclose the playground, which usually only occurs when the playspace was located in close proximity to a main/busy road. The playground is set back into the reserve and the existing fencing along Golf Links Avenue will be extended along Princess Street with a new gate. A natural landscaping barrier will also be implemented between the car park and the playspace.

Unfortunately as this playspace classification is a local playspace which caters for pre-schoolers and primary school aged children with an indicative duration of stay of one hour, the minimum standards and budget do not allow for the provision of a public toilet. However Council is developing a draft Public Toilet Strategy and this strategy will help inform future planning and identify priority sites for public toilets within Monash.

The project team also discussed the inclusion of a basketball hoop, flying fox, splash park and handball court, however these were not feasible at this reserve as the spatial constraints will not permit a design solution that will comply with Australian Standards for Playground Design (i.e. meet required safe distances for run-off and fall zones), make provision for tree protection zones and considerate of the close proximity to neighbouring residential properties.