Pakenham will soon welcome a new community open space with work nearing the finish line following the removal of 3 level crossings.
Six MCGs worth of community space has been created by elevating the rail line over McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road, and building brand new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations.
Basketball and soccer enthusiasts will love the dual-purpose half basketball court built near Main Street, featuring both basketball and soccer nets.
A fitness circuit including a leg press, pull-up rings, chest press and much more will feature at the McGregor Road end of the open space.
A nearby meeting place will include seating made from recycled timber from the project and provides a relaxed space where the community can come together.
More than 300,000 trees, shrubs and grasses are being planted in and around the new Pakenham and East Pakenham Station precincts.
A 3m wide shared use path is being built under the rail bridge between McGregor Road and Main Street. This will improve transport connections for pedestrians and bike riders to safely access Pakenham Station and the shopping precinct.
The design for the open space was shaped by 300 pieces of feedback received during community consultation in 2021.
The level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road in Pakenham have been removed by building a 2.5km section of elevated rail, and the new stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham opened in June 2024.
In total 110 level crossings are being removed across Melbourne by 2030, with 84 already gone for good.
