Update on Docklands Park upgrade

If you’ve walked past Docklands Park in the last few months you would have seen a flurry of activity and construction.

Recent work by the City of Melbourne, in collaboration with Places Victoria and Lend Lease, has seen enhancement works to the northern section of the park between Bourke and Collins streets.

“A new entrance to the park at Bourke St and Navigation Drive provides a new social space at street level, new stairs and a ramp now provide access to the upper terrace barbecue area as well as new seating to this area of the park,” a council spokesperson said.

“Footpaths have been upgraded along Navigation Drive and new seating has also been installed to frame the central water feature.”

According to the spokesperson “hardscape” works to the north and central sections of the park are now complete and Collins St works are expected to finish this month.

According to the spokesperson, the constructed wetland on Collins St was failing due to a lack of suitable water and access to this end of the park was limited.

“This area has been adapted to create a new open and usable park space. New timber decking terraces open up connections to the footpath and step down to the sunken area to provide generous access and seating. New trees, lawn, garden beds and lighting will allow for flexible use of this space for the local community,” the spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson, planting works will begin at the park in late autumn with new garden beds and more than 200 new trees to be planted.

Following completion of the northern section of the park, the council will begin planning improvements to the southern section by undertaking a review.

“These works will look to complement the Jim Stynes Bridge and the surrounding landscape works the City of Melbourne constructed to connect Docklands Park with the Yarra River,” the spokesperson said.