- Work is starting on The Esplanade Park opposite the Mount Pleasant foreshore.
- The new park has been made possible by Lotterywest and State Government funding.
- The park design meets the City’s goals of community connection and a better natural environment.
A ceremonial ‘sod turning’ on Tuesday, 26 August has marked the start of construction on City of Melville’s new The Esplanade Park in Mount Pleasant.
Work is expected to take about six months and will create green parkland connecting Kishorn Road and The Esplanade – the road that runs along the river foreshore.
The park, which is in the dynamic Canning Bridge Activity Precinct, received a Lotterywest grant of $465,582 for its playground, seating and gathering spaces, plantings and art.
The State Government has committed a further $150,000 for additional work including enhancements to the children’s playground and planting of mature trees.
The park project was given the green light by the City of Melville in April 2023 followed by extensive community consultation.
The Esplanade Park will meet community need with a children’s playground, spaces for community gatherings and have art installations celebrating First Nations Culture.
The 2000sqm site housed the Senior Citizen’s Building which was demolished nearly a decade ago. More recently the site was used for parking and a set down zone for nearby construction.
Site challenges have included ensuring the green space meets current and future needs of the demographic, provides connection to the foreshore and balances multiple functions on a relatively small site.
A small group of key people will be on site on Tuesday for the ‘sod turning’ to mark the start of works. They include Kim Giddens MLA (representing the Minister for Local Government), City of Melville Mayor, Katy Mair and Chief Executive Office Gail Bowman, together with Lorna Pritchard, Lotterywest’s General Manager Grants and Community Development.
Attribute the following comments to City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair. “I’m so pleased to be here today as construction begins on this important public open space project.”
“The City of Melville is very appreciative of Lotterywest and the State Government for their funding which will help make this a beautiful gathering place for the local community and visitors.”
“A vital part of our Council Plan for the Future 2024-2034 is to create healthy, safe and inclusive communities and to enhance our natural environment.”
“The social and environmental benefits of green spaces in urban environments is well researched and documented.”
"We acknowledge that with increasing density in this key Canning Bridge precinct public open space is vital.”