Work continues on major new park

A new playground that draws on the stunning natural beauty of its surroundings to promote connections to nature is taking shape in South Morang.

The Granite Hills Major Community Park, located in Quarry Hills, will be one of four major community parks in the municipality when it opens next year.

The park will have a strong focus on nature play and maximising the area’s natural environment through connections to walking trails.

The playground will have a 40-metre flying fox, giant slides, lawn maze and numerous other attractions designed to be enjoyed by families. The playground, which will be accessible from the southern end of Cravens Road, will also include two waterbodies and a boardwalk.

Public toilets, picnic and barbecue areas, shelters and a Changing Places facility for visitors with higher needs will provide comfort and convenience.

Doreen resident Biby Cherian said she will be sure to bring her young children – Raphael, 12, Jake, 7, Evelyn, 3, and Benjamin, 18 months – to the park when it is complete.

“We will definitely come over and spend time here with the family,” she said. “My children are certainly going to enjoy it. The Council is putting in a lot of effort into this park and the people who live in this area are blessed and lucky to have this park.”

Administrator Peita Duncan said the park will be a tremendous asset serving the community for generations.

“We want residents to live healthy, active lives and providing facilities like this that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy is a key part of that,” Peita said.

The park is one of three significant projects at the Parkland, with construction underway on both the Aboriginal Gathering Place and Quarry Hills Connecting Trails.

The City of Whittlesea is contributing $6.3 million towards the Granite Hills Major Community Park, while the Victorian Government has provided a $2.5 million grant from its Growing Suburbs Fund program.

Construction of the park is expected to be finished in 2025.