Kids still waiting as Yarra council stalls on providing swings and slides at ‘Melbourne’s saddest playground’

Setbacks to an upgrade of a controversial Collingwood park have left parents angry that children face another summer with nowhere to play.

Melbourne’s “saddest playground” remains a no-fun zone, with work to install play equipment in the Collingwood park stalled for five months.

Yarra council voted in June to fix controversial Cambridge St Reserve after a makeover left the pocket park without proper play equipment.

But families are now alarmed that no work has started on the site, and that they face a second summer without somewhere for kids to play.

It’s believed council officers are considering if a full environmental audit needed to be undertaken, and that construction could start in February.

Cambridge St Reserve in Collingwood reopened with very little play equipment. Picture: David Caird

Avaline 3, is not the only one unhappy with the lack of play equipment. Picture: David Caird

Local mum Brielle Pope, who ran for council in the recent election, said Yarra had to be held accountable for its inaction.

“There may now be two summers that our community and families have been without a playground. It’s just unacceptable,’’ Ms Pope said.

“These delays erode community trust in council’s commitment to the project.

“What’s the point if they delay till after the election.’’

The Greens’ failed to gain control at Yarra again when just two of their nine candidates were successful at the ballot box, ushering in a council dominated by six independents.

Ms Pope contested Collingwood-based Hoddle ward, losing by just 386 votes to the Greens’ former mayor Sophie Wade.

Brielle Pope ran for election on Yarra council.

Greens’ Sophie Wade was re-elected to council.

Ms Wade, along with party colleague Edward Crossland, voted in June against installing play equipment at the park because it meant 7 per cent less grass.

Yarra’s original makeover of the inner city site late last year removed existing play equipment, replacing it with a single bucket swing and a few metal bars.

The new-look park also featured a flying jumpers artwork, Close Knit, by sculptor William Eicholtz, at a cost of $191,600.

Brielle Pope (centre) and other Collingwood parents raised their concerns about the renovated Cambridge St Reserve in Collingwood late in 2023. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The flying jumpers artwork was installed, but not play equipment.

New mayor Stephen Jolly was tabling an urgent question at the first meeting of the new council at Richmond Town Hall on Tuesday night.

Mr Jolly said he hoped to get work started on the park soon because play equipment was vital for children and families in Collingwood.

Cambridge St Reserve playground before the Yarra revamp.

Cambridge St Reserve playground after the update.

Yarra Residents Collective founder Adam Promnitz said Yarra’s executive team was “all delays and no play’’.

“The council executive broke their promise to build the playground by the end of the year and the children miss out,’’ Mr Promnitz said.

“Once again these delays are council executives going out of their lanes and playing politics delaying the project and need to be held to account by the newly elected council.”

Yarra council was invited to comment.

Originally published as Kids still waiting as Yarra council stalls on providing swings and slides at ‘Melbourne’s saddest playground’