Skyrail Melbourne: Table tennis, murals and trees in proposed park plans

PING pong tables and vertical creeping plants should be built under Melbourne’s sky rail to draw people to the area and stop graffiti, according to a new report.

An artist's impression of the proposed parks near Clayton’s sky rail project.

PING pong tables and vertical creeping plants should be built under Melbourne’s sky rail to draw people to the area and stop graffiti, according to a new report.

It is recommended a range of plants and art projects be used to hide the bulky ­infrastructure which will run through suburbs along the Cranbourne and Pakenham train lines.

Other concepts to minimise the impact of the 9km rail bridge include:

PLANTING trees in clusters at key locations and introducing “pops of colour” to enhance the greenery;

DECORATING areas underneath the sky rail with different textures and colours possibly using old boom gates;

An artist's impression of the proposed parks near Clayton’s sky rail project.

BUILDING permanent ping-pong tables, climbing walls, chess ­tables and dog spaces under the rail corridor to encourage use of the area;

ENSURING multiple station entrances to avoid frustration;

USING feature lighting to accentuate architectural designs;

SENSOR activated lights to deter anti-social behaviour;

USING original trees that were removed including red river gums; and

ENSURING new pathways connect efficiently and are decorated the same throughout the route.

An artist's impression of the proposed parks near Clayton’s sky rail project.

The suggestions were made by the special community open space expert panel after months of consultation with the community. Level Crossing Removal Authority project ­director Brett Summers said the recommendations were being considered.

“These top experts have ­collaborated over many months to provide us with ­invaluable perspective and ­advice,” he said.

“We’re now working full steam towards a final design release later this year, and looking forward to making this new open space a reality.”

An artist's impression of the proposed parks near Clayton’s sky rail project.

The report, released this week, has drawn criticism from Opposition planning spokesman David Davis, who said it was “sky rail fantasy land”.

“The truth of course is that a few tree plantings and coats of paint will not turn the undercroft of Daniel Andrews’ sky rail into a place people want to be,’’ he said.

“The experience around the world and in Melbourne shows that the ugly dark zones in and around massive elevated rail bridges become areas of crime, violence, drug use and graffiti.”

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