Project update - February 2025

Major upgrades begin on Smith Reserve, featuring a new play space and improved dog off-leash area

Works to install a brand-new play area at Smith Reserve in Fitzroy have started. A picnic area, pathway, green space and improved fencing for dogs safe in the off-leash area.

This will help create a more enjoyable and secure environment for families and dog owners.

The upgrades are expected to take three to four months to complete. Temporary fencing will be in place during this time to ensure the safety of our community during the works. Some areas of the park will be unavailable during this time, but efforts will be made to allow continued access for off-lead dog exercise whenever possible.

The upgrades are part of a larger vision outlined in the Smith Reserve Concept Plan, which was adopted by Yarra City Council in March 2024. These improvements are also supported by the Victorian Government through the New and Upgraded Dog Parks program.

Play Space Design

The Landscape Concept Plan sets out a vision for this space and will help guide future works and improvements.

Delivery of improvements will be staged over a 5-year period and as budget funding becomes available.

Thanks to everyone who participated and shared your thoughts during this consultation. Your feedback was vital and helped inform the Final Landscape Concept Plan.

You can read more about the community consultation at the bottom of this page.

Council Meeting decision

At the Council Meeting on 12 March 2024, it was decided that the first stage of the Landscape Concept Plan to be implemented will be the Play Space Proposal 2024. This will improve and expand the existing play space.

Based on your feedback, the play space upgrade will include the following:

  • Play options for a broader range of age groups
  • More shade over the playground
  • A new entrance separated from the shared path
  • Nature play options
  • Space for picnics in the fenced area
  • Items that can be used for exercise.

Construction on the new play space will begin in 2025. You can view some of the key features on the map below:

Map of the play space area at Smith Reserve in Fitzroy

Stage 1 consultation - November 2022

We asked you to share your ideas on tell us how you like to use the space at Smith Reserve in Fitzroy.

How do you see yourself using this space in the future and what features and facilities would you like incorporated into the plan?

A bit about the park

Located next to the Fitzroy Swimming Pool, this popular park contains a number of features including:

  • playground
  • barbecue, picnic tables and seating
  • dog-off leash area
  • scattered tree planting and garden beds.

What is possible for this park

As this park is classified by our Yarra Open Space Strategy (YOSS) as a 'small neighbourhood park', the potential new facilities that we can incorporate into the master plan are limited. The types of things that are appropriate for a park of this size include:

  • BBQ

    Upgraded or increased BBQ facilities.

  • Shelter

    Including from the rain as well as shading.

  • Garden beds

    Functional and decorative garden beds.

  • Lighting

    Can be erected along pathways, BBQ areas and playgrounds.

  • Trees

    Can be added or replaced for shade purposes, biodiversity or to add more foliage.

  • Seating

    Various seating configurations could be installed here.

  • Playground

    An upgrade of the existing playground can be incorporated in the design, allowing for different types of play equipment.

  • Water drinking fountain

    Additional fountains can be included for people to drink from, including ground level tap to fill up dog bowls.

  • Half court

    A half court for unstructured outdoor sports could be included.

  • Rubbish bins

    Extra rubbish bins can be incorporated into the design.

  • Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

    For instance storm water harvesting.

  • Paths

    Widening of existing paths or adding more paths

Feedback from Stage 1 community consultation

Thank you for providing your feedback, we had a fantastic response - receiving a total of 289 contributions.

An overwhelming number of people expressed how much they value the park and its location. In particular the open green space and dog off lead area was noted as being highly used and a great way to meet neigbours. It is also clear from the feedback that for the most part, people are happy with the existing park and its layout.

Some of the improvements that were suggested included:

  • Managing the grass surface better.

  • Improving fencing for the safety of dogs off lead.

  • Providing spaces where people can avoid dogs off lead.

  • Improving the shared path safety.

  • Improving accessibility into and through the park.

  • Upgrading the playground, including shade and options for more age groups

  • Providing more shade and furniture in shade.

A half basketball court has not been included in the draft Landscape Concept Plan as we were unable to find a suitable location for this that wouldn’t impact on the dog off-lead use, or require significant fencing to prevent balls escaping onto busy roads. The playground will be developed to cater for a wider age group.

Stage 2 consultation - May 2023

We used your ideas from the first stage of community consultation to develop a draft Landscape Concept Plan which you can view below.

We then asked you for your feedback on the draft Landscape Concept Plan to ensure that the park can continue to support the needs of the local community, visitors and all park users into the future.

What we heard

Most people who participated expressed how much they love the park and its location. Some of the improvements that were suggested included:

  • Managing the grass surface better
  • Improving fencing for the safety of dogs off lead
  • Providing spaces where people can avoid dogs off lead
  • Improving the shared path safety
  • Improving accessibility into and through the park
  • Upgrading the playground, including shade and options for more age groups
  • Providing more shade and furniture in shade.

83% of people agreed with the statement:

Do you think the draft Landscape Concept Plan offers a space that can be used for a range of different purposes by the local community?

Your feedback was vital and helped inform the development of the Final Landscape Concept Plan.