Myrtle and Macleay Parks Master Plan

The master plan includes initiatives to improve movement, accessibility and safety throughout the precinct, including:

• three new pedestrian priority crossings and traffic calming measures
• a new pedestrian gate entry adjacent to the main park entrance on Belmore Road
• new lighting along key east-west pathways to improve safety after dark
• new timed push-button lighting on Oval 1 and at the northern end of Oval 2
• renewed and extended gravel paths to improve connections throughout the parks
• distance markers along a new looped walking path
• expansion of the Myrtle Park car park
• formalisation of the Macleay Park car park with a sealed surface and line marking
• drop-off parking opportunities
• replacement of the existing roundabout with a larger one to improve traffic flow
• opening vehicle access between Myrtle and Macleay Parks, with vehicle exit via Gildan Street
• developing a proposal for a signalised intersection and crossing at Belmore Road, which includes consolidating the new signals and the existing pedestrian-operated signals (subject to Department of Transport and Planning approval and funding) 

The master plan protects and enhances the parks’ valued natural landscape while creating opportunities to celebrate local culture and improve sustainability, including:

• planting more than 150 new trees and improving soil quality to help them grow.
• a ‘no long-term net loss’ approach to tree canopy
• using permeable sealed surfacing in new car park areas and around the netball courts to enable water to drain into the ground.
• collaborating with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to design and install a new group seating area.
• exploring ideas with the 1st North Balwyn Scout Group for grant opportunities for wall murals and art wall murals, and other improvements to the building subject to approvals by relevant asset owners.
• exploring water saving ideas to reduce the amount of drinking water we use to irrigate/water the sportsgrounds in alignment with Council’s integrated water management plan.

You told us the parks need to support a range of activities, from organised sport to everyday recreation, including:

• improving and connecting park facilities in the south-eastern corner of Macleay Park including a renewed playground, picnic area, a new gathering area and a new public toilet.
• new outdoor fitness equipment
• a small hard surface area for casual ball games. 
• the renewal of Myrtle Pavilion (in line with Council’s Development and Funding of Community Pavilions Policy).
• renewed sportsground lights to support soccer and cricket on Macleay Park Oval 3 
• renewal of Myrtle Park Ovals East and West and new sportsground lights added to Myrtle Oval West, to support cricket and baseball.
• reorientation of the baseball diamond at Myrtle Oval East and a new junior baseball diamond at Myrtle Oval West.
• relocation and renewal the cricket nets with dedicated storage at Myrtle Park.
• a new basketball hoop in Myrtle Park.
• renewing the netball courts including court lighting improvements.
• installing new permeable surfaces at the netball court warm-up areas to improve the available space.
• new dog friendly infrastructure on Macleay Oval 5 to support park users who walk their dogs off-lead.

Community feedback highlighted the importance of creating safer spaces to use the parks after dark, particularly for dog owners during winter months when the sportsgrounds are in use by local clubs. In response, the master plan includes:

• new lighting along key pathways through the parks
• a new light pole over an informal gathering area east of Macleay Oval 5
• new drinking fountain with dog trough
• upgrades to LED sportsground lighting to include push-button activation on Macleay Oval 1 and north-side of Oval 2 for community use within existing lighting operating hours (Monday to Sat 7:30 am to 9:30 pm, Sunday 7:30 am to 9 pm)
• improvements to barriers between the park and Buchanan Road.

As part of the delivery of the master plan, we will continue investigating the following items:

• a parking permit scheme for residents on Gildan Street
• traffic studies to support the proposal for the signalised intersection and crossing proposal on Belmore Road
• designation of Myrtle Oval East as an off-leash area.