Carlton’s Lincoln Square playground to get big upgrade under City of Melbourne plan

The oldest playground in Melbourne will be transformed in a $3 million makeover that will include rope bridges, play towers and elevated decking. Here’s your first look at the proposed revamp.

Nicholas, 8, (left), and Alexander, 5, (right) will be among the many enjoying an upgrade of Carlton’s Lincoln Square park. Picture: Mark Stewart

Melbourne’s oldest playground is set for a big makeover.

Carlton’s Lincoln Square park will be transformed with rope bridges, play towers and elevated decking beneath 150-year-old Moreton Bay fig trees.

The park — site of the city’s first playground in 1907 — has a memorial for victims of the 2002 Bali bombings.

Melbourne City Council started redesigning the space after skateboarders rode on the memorial amid rowdy and drunken behaviour some years ago.

Nicholas, 8, (left), and Alexander, 5, are excited about the proposed upgrade for Lincoln Square park. Picture: Mark Stewart

Render of proposed new playground for Lincoln Square.

Lincoln Square’s current playground. Picture: Mark Stewart

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The council’s city design team behind Nature Play in Royal Park will also design the new Lincoln Square playground.

Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said works were underway for the $3 million project to expand the historic square by an extra 3000 sqm.

“Works have been completed to demolish the roadway to the north of the park and install new drainage,” he said.

“The traffic will still flow freely, and we will retain kerb-side parking while making the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists.”

“The park will include extra seating, new lighting, and barbecue and picnic spaces to provide recreation spaces for our growing population.”

In 2016, a $3 million underground water tank was installed to collect stormwater from Parkville and Carlton via the Bouverie St drain.

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