Ballam Park is no longer our best kept secret!
Published on 28 August 2024
Ballam Park continues to cement its position as one of Frankston City’s most popular attractions for locals and visitors, with exciting new opportunities for active and passive recreation rolling out in the coming months.
In October, an impressive bioretention system and lake will open at the northern end of the park (Naranga Crescent entrance). The system will significantly reduce stormwater contamination flowing into Port Phillip Bay by creating a natural filtration system using plants, water circulation and aeration.
Frankston City Council is enhancing the system with an ornamental lake and community amenities such as lighting, public art, seating, BBQ and shelter, landscaping, drinking fountain and connecting pathways to create a new experience for visitors to Ballam Park.
North-West Ward Cr Kris Bolam said the community was treated to a sneak peek behind the project’s construction fence on Saturday 24 August ahead of the project’s finishing touches, including landscaping.
“People who came to the event were wowed by what’s being created and the fact that we are focused on environmental benefits as well as opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of the park and lake,” he said.
“This will all complement the existing sport and recreation and play spaces in the park, such as the sports ovals, play spaces, athletic facilities, dog on and off-leash facilities, walking paths, outdoor exercise equipment and of course the historic homestead.”
The new lake and facilities will be open to the public in mid-October. Official naming of the inlet pond and lake is underway following community consultation on the proposed name ‘Liardet Pond and Ballam Lake’, which celebrates the Liardet family, who built the Ballam Park Homestead in 1855.
Council has also just completed stage two of the play space upgrade at the southern end of the reserve, featuring climbing and imaginative play opportunities for children, to complement the recent other play space upgrades, including water play, which has proven a hit year-round.
In addition, local athletes are also looking forward to the completion of the Ballam Park Athletics Pavilion in October 2024, which follows the recent track upgrade completed in March 2023.
Cr Bolam said: “Ballam Park is truly somewhere families can come in any season for a fun and free day out, to connect with others, and find ways to stay active and healthy – or to simply sit quietly and enjoy the picturesque surrounds which is also important for our health.”
“You can also fire up one of the BBQs, bring along a picnic, or grab a snack, hot or cold drink or some dessert from the two food trucks (The Laughing Lark and the Icecream Man) who operate there.
“Once upon a time we might have called Ballam Park one of our city’s best kept secrets, but those days are long gone. I’m proud to see families from our neighbouring municipalities making their way here to enjoy all that’s on offer in Frankston City. And there’s more to come!”
Funding
- Ballam Park bio-retention system and lake: $2.487 million ($820,000 from Council, $1.3 million from a Victorian Government loan, and $367,500 from Melbourne Water).
- Ballam Park play space (stage 1 and 2): $3 million (Fully funded by Council through a low interest loan from the Victorian Government)
- Ballam Park Athletics Pavilion: $3.2 million ($2.45 million from Council and $750,000 from the Victorian Government