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12 November - 3 December 2025
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Community engagement
Local community invited to vote for their preferred playground
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The playground at John Dickenson Reserve is due for renewal, and we invited the community to help choose the best design. Your feedback will guide the final playground layout and style, ensuring it meets the needs of local families and park users.
Four exciting design options were developed, each featuring upgraded play equipment. Two options retained the existing playground pit layout, while the other two proposed combining all equipment into the existing fenced pit (removing the smaller pit).
We also asked for your thoughts on the colour palette - whether you preferred bright and playful, or natural and nature-inspired tones.
By voting, you helped create a playground that reflects community preferences, encourages connection, and provides a fun, welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.
What's happening now
Following a very close initial voting outcome, we undertook a secondary engagement to confirm community preference before proceeding to procurement. Due to minimal support in the initial vote, Option 3 was removed, and the community was asked to confirm a preference for a consolidated or separate play area layout.
A total of 33 local residents within a 400-metre radius participated, with Option 4 confirmed as the preferred playground design. Construction is planned to commence in May/June 2026.
More information can be found in the engagement snapshots (detailing both rounds of consultation).
Explore the designs
We asked the community to chose from four fantastic playground designs, each with unique features.
Click the arrow on the bottom left to scroll through the designs, or click this link to see them all.
FAQs
| Considered | Not considered |
| Playground renewal | Shade sails |
| Consolidation of playground area (pending preferred design) | Barbecue facilities |
| Colour palette | Toilets |
| Drink fountain |
These elements are determined by the level of funding and type of park (as classified within the park hierarchy).
Relocation of the playground pit was also considered as part of the process.
The upgrade will feature new play equipment, a connecting concrete path from the existing picnic table to the fenced playground, and an additional gate near the picnic area to provide easier access. The existing fence will also be refurbished to make the park even more inviting for the community.
The hierarchy of parks within the City reflect state documentation/strategies. These classifications are based on the number of anticipated visitors and the distance they are drawn from:
- District parks - people will attend from over two kilometres
- Neighbourhood parks - residents from 800 metres
- Local parks - residents from approximately 400 metres
- Pocket parks - incidental green spaces around the City.
The distribution of district, neighbourhood and local parks allows us to have a balanced level of the quality of space across the City.
To ensure the new playground meets local needs, we asked for your help to choose the best design. Engaging with the community is key to building a sense of pride and ownership.
This project is being funded as part of the City’s capital works program and approved in the 2025/26 budget. It should be noted that the budget for this project is limited.
We take your privacy seriously. Any personal information you provide will be managed in accordance with applicable Western Australian privacy legislation, including the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 (WA), and is used only to support engagement, analyse feedback and share relevant updates.
City of Melville Privacy Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024
You can stay in the loop by following the project page for updates straight to your inbox. Simply visit the page and click the ‘Follow Engagement’ button at the top.
Want VIP treatment on other projects? Join the Melville Sounding Board to get updates on projects that matter most to you.
Timeline
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11 - 23 December 2025
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Additional stage of engagement
Recount and vote confirmation due to close results
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May/June 2026
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Construction
Anticipated installation of new play equipment
Who's listening?
If you require any further information, please contact the Open Space Design team.
| Phone | 08 9364 0666 |
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Location
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