Sarah Oliver
Residents in Diggers Rest and surrounding areas can expect a new local park in the coming months.
Melton council recently approved plans for the one hectare park, named Floré Community Park, which will support the growing demand for green space in the community following ongoing lockdowns.
The park, in the Bloomdale estate, will be built by AVID Property Group, with work starting this month.
The project will add to the existing seven hectares of green space at Bloomdale and will feature multiple barbeque and recreation spaces, multi-age play equipment, wide, open grass areas with pockets for nature and sensory play.
Floré Community park will also include multiple walkways for residents and visitors to incorporate into daily exercise routines.
AVID victorian general manger Peter Vlitas said the company found the overwhelming response for a park was driven by the needs of the local community, with information drawn from focus group sessions.
“Throughout 2020 we engaged with members of the Bloomdale community to seek their feedback on what they would like to see in their local parks, both now and into the future,” Mr Vlitas said.
“Overwhelmingly, residents said they wanted the park to offer an experience, which is why we have incorporated various pockets of both active and passive spaces for people to explore throughout the new park.
“We’ve been in lockdown for a long time in Melbourne and we have come to appreciate the outdoors and opportunities to gather with friends and family, more so than ever before.
“We are thrilled to mark this exciting milestone and look forward to meeting the health and wellbeing needs of our local community with the new Floré Community Park.”
CDA Design Group associate landscape architect Ninka Cook worked with AVID to develop the design of the park and said the community feedback was invaluable in creating a custom space for Diggers Rest.
“Throughout the pandemic we have seen people confined to their immediate surroundings for extended periods of time. The feedback has emphasised the need and want for the community to get outside and enjoy nature,” Ms Cook said.
The park is projected to be completed in April 2022.
