Yarra City Council give Melbourne’s ‘saddest playground’ given $250k facelift, locals say more could have been done

After months of consultation and delays, a dismal playground in Collingwood compared to a “prison yard” has been given a $250k facelift — but locals still aren’t overly impressed.

After months of consultation, redevelopment and delays, “Melbourne’s saddest playground” has been deemed slightly more jubilant by local residents.

The Mayor of Yarra City Council, Stephen Jolly, officially reopened the Cambridge St Reserve to a crowd of Collingwood parents and their children on Saturday morning.

The park in Collingwood was the subject of national media attention, after a $2m “upgrade” in 2023 transformed the space from a quaint play area into a “prison yard”.

Avaline 3, in front of the playground in 2023. Picture: David Caird

The playground was compared to a ‘prison yard’ with its industrial bucket swing and metal climbing bars. Picture: David Caird

Seesaws, slides, swings and a climbing frame were ripped out and replaced with an industrial style bucket swing, a metal balance beam and two simple climbing bars.

The redesign prompted more than 600 residents to sign a petition calling on the council to remove the “eyesore” and reinstate “suitable and varied playground equipment”.

The City of Yarra resolved to install additional play items at the reserve.

The playground still features the swing and balance beam from the original makeover, but the controversial prison-style chin up bars have been replaced with a multi-coloured slide, mini trampoline, and a four-way rocker.

The playground as it stands today. Picture: Josie Hayden

The City of Yarra have used a $250,000 budget to turn this sad playground’s frown upside down. Picture: Josie Hayden

The park has also been made more accessible with the addition of asphalt walkways and rubber surfacing under the swing.

Cr Jolly said the redesign was completed within the $250,000 allocated budget.

“This is the opening of this park: mark two. The first time we did it, we got it wrong,” Cr Jolly conceded at the reopening on Saturday morning.

“We built a playground – some people called it minimalist, your kids probably called it boring, and the media called it the most tragic park in Australia.

“But the good thing is, this council listened … we fixed it up.”

Parents say the playground is now ‘more exciting’ for their kids than it was before. Picture: Josie Hayden

Kids are loving the new playground equipment — but still, there’s not much on offer. Picture: Josie Hayden

Gavin Brown, who lives on Cambridge St with his wife and two children, said the updates were adequate.

“It couldn’t have gotten any worse,” he said, while his 2-year-old son tested out the new slide.

“I’m happy that they listened and gave us some extra things … it’s more exciting now than it was before.”

Local mum Brielle Pope, who teamed up with fellow parents last year to force the council to add more equipment, echoed these thoughts.

“We still think that there could have been a lot more,” she said.

“But from what we came from, I think it’s an improvement.”

Audrey on the new slide at the park. Picture: Josie Hayden

The developments were almost quashed after two Greens councillors – former mayors Edward Crossland and Sophie Wade – voted against installing the new equipment at a council meeting in June last year, because it meant 7 per cent less grass.

At the time, Ms Pope, a mother of two, said: “putting 7 per cent of grass space ahead of children is disgusting, especially with their so-called inclusive values.”

But the Collingwood community was asked to select their preferred option for the latest revamp from four concepts with the new version — which included a slide — attracting 167 votes, ahead of 89 for no change.

Adam Promnitz, the co-founder of the Yarra Residence Collective and a father of two, said that the park was still “not perfect”, but “at least the kids are playing a bit”.

“My four year old Xavier said on the way here, ‘I don’t want to go back to that playground’.”

“It never should have been what it was originally — the prison yard — as we called it.”

Mayor of Yarra City Council Stephen Jolly is hoping for three more parks in the next 12 months. Picture: Supplied

Before cutting the ribbon, Cr Jolly said that this was just one of the new playground projects slated for the City of Yarra.

“The premier and the planning minister told Yarra we’ve got to build 44,000 new homes. Almost all of them will be apartments,” Cr Jolly said.

“So this council is going to expand the number of parks. We’re about to hopefully have three more parks in the next 12 months.”

But Mr Promnitz said that if there are going to be new parks developed as a result of higher density living, then the council needs to be “inclusive of all people in the area”.

“The state government talks about affordability and liveability and living in high density housing,” Mr Promnitz said.

“If they want that, they need to make sure that these places are friendly for families and children.”

Originally published as Yarra City Council give Melbourne’s ‘saddest playground’ given $250k facelift, locals say more could have been done