The draft Concept Design for Garryowen Park has been considered by Councillors and finalised.

Project background

In 2025 we began the process of planning to upgrade the park and play area of Garryowen Park.

We wanted to improve user experience and ensure it accommodated the needs of everyone who uses it including current and future residents, people who work nearby and visitors.

The draft Yarra Play Space Strategy 2025 ranks the replacement of the play area as a ‘high priority’. By 2031 it is expected that the residential population of Fitzroy will increase by 55% and the local workforce by 46%.

To ensure this park caters for the needs of our growing community and its different types of current and future users, the existing layout and facilities needed to be updated and replaced and the option for additional features needed to be considered.

In August and September of 2025, we asked you to provide feedback on ways we could improve Garryowen Park. We heard from 63 people through our online survey and spoke to members of the community in-person at our pop-up event.

What you told us:

• You want us to preserve the park’s natural character, including its trees and birdlife.
• While the grassed area and playground are currently used for play, they could benefit from some improvements.
• Overall, responses indicated a preference for minimal changes to the park, with a focus on better integrating features to suit the needs of users.

Stage 2 consultation

Between Monday 2 February and Monday 2 March 2026 we asked the community to review the draft Concept Design we had developed using the feedback we received during the Stage 1 consultation.

Overall community feedback received for the Stage 2 engagement on the draft Concept Design was positive, indicating:

Who did we hear from?

• 37 people provided feedback through the online survey on Your Say Yarra.

• 31 of the 37 participants live in Fitzroy.

• The top 3 uses of the space were ‘to relax in’ (22), ‘to connect to nature’ (18) and ‘to play on the playground’ (17).

• In addition to the survey, we spoke to 41 people at the 2 pop-up events who gave their verbal feedback.

What we heard and how it influenced the final plan?

In response to the Stage 2 community feedback, we have made the following updates to the Concept Design:

• The proposed basket swing has been replaced with a traditional double swing, and includes a new play tower with additional imaginative, sensory, and inclusive play features, where possible within project budget and site constraints.

• The grassed area has been expanded.

• Some garden beds have been enlarged to provide better protection for existing trees.

• All existing trees will be retained and selectively pruned to increase sunlight and improve sightlines.

• Lawns will be enhanced through returfing and a new irrigation system.

• Garden beds will be expanded and replanted for greater greenery.

What happens next?

Construction of the park is due to commence at some point between the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027.

Visit the project page

To read more about this consultation please visit the Garryowen Park upgrade project page.