Shade sails a cool idea for Frankston City
Published on 15 March 2021
Frankston City Council is investing approximately $145,000 in shade sails this financial year as part of a cool idea to make our parks and reserves more user friendly.
North-East Ward Cr Suzette Tayler said the 2020/21 program includes shade sails at R F Miles Reserve, Seaford; Seaford North Reserve; Weatherston Reserve, Seaford; Belvedere Park, Seaford; and Telopea Reserve, Frankston North.
Cr Tayler noted this follows the Council’s $190,000 investment in the installation of shade sails at Montague Park, Langwarrin Community Centre, Armata Reserve, South Gateway Reserve, Seaford Preschool and Rotary Park, Carrum Downs.
“The Council’s investment in shade sails follows extensive community feedback. We’re currently developing the draft Play Strategy and community engagement was undertaken in mid-2020 with the draft strategy being finalised for public exhibition in May 2021.
“The need for better shade was a top item raised during community consultation and is identified as a critical element to encourage the community to use our play spaces more. The strategy proposes play space classifications and service standards that include natural and structural shade.
“The strategy recognises the importance of shade to encourage use of our play spaces by providing a comfortable and safe environment. Integrated amenity such as tree planting and shade structures need to be considered when renewing or upgrading our play spaces and local parks,” Cr Tayler said.
Council Coordinator Urban Design Policy and Planning, Sally Prideaux, added that in addition to the new Play Strategy, Council officers are preparing a Local Park Action Plan which assesses the existing conditions and opportunities for improvement for all local-level parks across the municipality.
“The Plans will set out a list of priorities for local park and play improvements across our municipality over the next 10 years. The Plans consider a number of items raised from community feedback including the provision of shade, fencing, water fountains, play opportunities, safety and other requests to generally improve the standard of our local parks,” Ms Prideaux said.