Casey Council is inviting community feedback on a proposed upgrade to the Tooradin Skate Park.
The existing concrete Skate Park, located at Tooradin Recreation Reserve, is set to be renewed with a refreshed layout and updated features.
Council shared that when it consulted with the community about the Tooradin Recreation Reserve Master Plan, most of the feedback they received was around the Skate Park and its importance to the local community.
Tooradin Ward councillor Jennifer Dizon said the Skate Park was a key issue raised by residents during her 2023 council election campaign.
“The Skate Park is a much-loved feature of the Tooradin Recreation Reserve, and its upgrade is well overdue,” she said.
“We’ve heard from the community just how important it is that they have a modern and dynamic skate park.”
Cr Dizon is encouraging everyone in the community, especially those who use the skate park, to tell the Council what they think.
Community can provide feedback on the design elements within the Skate Park and the look and feel of the space, but the budget allocation ($400,000) and the project timeline are non-negotiable.
Vice president of Casey Residents and Ratepayer Association Anthony Tassone also welcomed the renewed focus on the Skate Park.
“The feedback we have received from Tooradin locals is that while investment in the recreation reserve is welcomed (including the $2.3 million upgrade to the pavilion), there needs to be a holistic approach taken to how the community will use all of the precinct,” he said.
“For example, with the pavilion upgrade, this could potentially impact the location of the children’s playground. If it is relocated away from the pavilion where parents and spectators typically watch games from or where patrons dine at the Sports club, it will get less use, be less safe and impact the amenities of the reserve.
“The council must listen to locals about how they use their recreation reserve to get the most out of the investment in upgrades.”
Mr Tassone said the consultation of the Skate Park upgrade needs to consider the potential of relocation.
“The recreation reserve can experience a very high demand for car parking, particularly during the football season in the winter, which needs to be considered,” he said.
“The Master plan is meant to be reviewed every four years and was last reviewed in 2021, so now is the right time to engage closely with the community for an update and review to the plan so that the Council considers all of the facilities in the recreation reserve and how residents will use it as a whole.
“This way, the investment in upgrades gets the best return and benefit for the community.”
To submit your feedback, visit: conversations.casey.vic.gov.au/tooradin-skate-park-upgrade
You can join the Council at a pop-up in the Skate Park from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Tuesday 15 July.
