The Burwood community has a unique chance to help design a new park and playground at a soon-to-be expanded Lundgren Chain Reserve as part of works on Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East.
If you live in or near Burwood, let us know what you'd like to see in the new park, and what you value about open space in Burwood. Your ideas will help shape the new space.
For some inspiration, local playground experts Rachel and Rayna have shared their ideas for what they want to see.
“If I could design my dream park I would put in a rock-climbing wall because I love climbing,” says Rayna, Grade 6, while sister Rachel, Grade 2, would like to see trees made of cotton candy.
With Sinnott Street Reserve required for construction, a new open space will be established a short walk away between Cumming and Gillard streets – becoming a place for families and kids, socialising and enjoying the outdoors.
The new park and playground could include nature play, seating, new trees, barbeques, or links to existing paths to connect to the existing Lundgren Chain Reserve.
“I’d also like a very long slide – about 5 metres high,” says Rachel.
“And made of glass because I’d like to see what I’m going to drop down to,” adds Rayna.
SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill will deliver huge benefits for Burwood, improving access to Deakin University for thousands of staff and students and connecting locals to Melbourne’s train network and key destinations across the city. Trains will be running by 2035.
Changing between SRL and other modes of transport will be quick and easy, with a new tram stop outside the SRL station on Burwood Highway, a new bus interchange on Sinnott Street, accessible pick up and drop off areas and 750 bike parking spaces.
SRL East will enhance the leafy neighbourhood character of Burwood, while connecting locals to services and destinations across Melbourne and delivering more jobs closer to home.
New pedestrian and cycling paths and crossings will connect the SRL station to Deakin University, Bennetswood Reserve and Gardiners Creek Reserve.
Sinnott Street will be extended north to Burwood Highway to improve access around the new station, while new streets will connect Sinnott Street and McComas Grove.
We are working with key stakeholders and the community on plans and designs for the replacement park, with plans to complete the upgrades at the Lundgren Chain Reserve by early 2023.
An expert panel, led by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Director and Chief Executive Professor Tim Entwisle, will also provide advice on open space initiatives, building on Mr Entwisle’s outstanding work on the Level Crossings Removal Project.
Designs of the new open space will be finalised later this year.
You can have your say on the Engage Victoria website now until 30 June 2022.