Thank you for your feedback on the Draft Concept Design!
In 2022, we asked the community how they felt about three 'Design Ideas' for the new park. Based on your feedback we created our Draft Concept Design. Thank you to everyone who shared thoughts on the Draft Concept! We received lots of great suggestions to improve the design. You can find a summary of the community's feedback on the Draft Concept Design here.
Scroll down to see images of the Draft Concept Design.
What's next?
We're currently developing the design based on your feedback, further site investigations and engineering, as well as costing. We'll post the Final Design here in August 2023. Watch this space!
What you said about the Draft Concept Design
What we heard
You asked us to focus on:
- Tree and plant species selection with shade, native plants, and biodiversity front of mind
- The functionality of the performance space, art canopy and projector screen, including sight lines
- The design of seating to promote short- and longer-term use, for gathering and connection
And to consider:
- Innovative lighting design for safety and events
- Maintenance & durability of materials
- Safety, accessibility & sensory experience
- Climate resilience and response to heat island
Our Final Concept Design will be informed by this feedback
The Draft Concept Design
Design Inspiration: The Rocky Country
The 260 Sydney Road park is designed as a window into the 'rocky' country of Merri-bek and Brunswick. It will be a place where the community can be immersed in a forested, green space which is inspired by the past, present and future.
Below is a collage of images showing the types of materials and natural textures that inspired the design of the park. Click on the hot spots to learn about how we're responding to the community's feedback about connection to nature, climate resilience and biodiversity.
Background information
About 260 Sydney Rd
Merri-bek's “Park Close to Home” plan is about improving access to open space across Merri-bek. The aim of the plan is to ensure the Merri-bek community live within 500 metres walking distance to a park or open space, and within 300 metres for those living in our busiest areas.
As part of this plan, we have purchased the property at 260 Sydney Rd in the heart of Brunswick (opposite the Brunswick Town hall, facing Sydney Road) to turn it into a public open space.
The Draft Concept Design is preliminary only. The renders are artists' impressions, illustrating what an established (15+ year old) space would look and feel like. The scope of works and design is subject to review by authorities and further costing, and community feedback.
Like many areas of Brunswick, there is some underground contamination on this site. This will be addressed to make the site safe for use, but it means we won't be able to include a playground as part of the project. Instead we'll focus on making the space safe and inviting for kids, somewhere they can play and rest.
Remediating contamination will also place constraints on our budget. This is something we'll have more information about as we work through the detailed design with our engineers.
There is a 2m wide footway easement at the north of the site (on the cafe side). This means we have to keep this area of the park clear of plants, furniture or other features which might obstruct movement through the site.
Events at 260 Sydney Road
While design and planning works continue for the future park, the site is still available for public use, both informally and for organised events and activities.
Information about using the site for formal events can be found at:
Planning an event (merri-bek.vic.gov.au) or contact the Festival Officer at communityevents@moreland.vic.gov.au or calling 9240 1111 for advice.
The 260 Sydney Road projector platform provides a platform for community, artists, students, and filmmakers, to present work through month-long looped projections from dusk to dawn. Curated and managed by the Little Projector Company, the Twosixty Projector is a projected creative notice board for the communities of Merri-Bek, actively prioritising content of artists, curators who are First Nations people, CALD, women, LGBTIQ and people with disability.
Screening now is the work of the Multicultural Women’s Sewing Group.
