As part of level crossing removal works at Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert our teams are continuing works to complete the new Union Station precinct, including brand-new open spaces in late Spring 2023.
Montrose Street pocket park will provide a new green open space, with bench seats, a lawn area and gardens. This space will also be home to one of the 2 King Parrot sculptures by local artist Emily Floyd.
The toy-like nature and colourful components of Floyd’s parrots are influenced by her family background and childhood experiences.
Her parents operated a toy-making business in the local area and she was first introduced to community art practice at Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. Emily fondly remembers her time exploring Mont Albert and Surrey Hills and encountering brightly-coloured cicadas and birds.
"As a young person I very much enjoyed catching the train from Surrey Hills and Canterbury, so it is an honour to create the artworks for the new station. I especially hope the King Parrots will encourage visitors to consider the values of ecology, biodiversity and care for the environment.” – Emily Floyd
Around the corner at nearby Lorne Parade Reserve, community feedback helped shape the new children’s playground, which will include swings, balance beams steppers, sound tubes and more. The reserve also features native landscaping and safer connections for pedestrians and cyclists.
