Source : Perth Now news
A former senior citizens centre and construction vehicle carpark has been transformed into a new community park along the river foreshore.
The Esplanade Park officially opened in Mt Pleasant last week, connecting Kishorn Road with The Esplanade to create 2000sqm of open space.
The park is part of the Canning Bridge activity precinct and features a concrete footpath, new garden beds and vegetation and a new playground themed around the egret bird for kids to play in.
Whadjuk Noongar Elder Nigel Wilkes and Whadjuk Noongar knowledge holders Bella Bropho, Alice Kearing, Melba Bodney and Iva Hayward-Jackson provided cultural input into the park’s design.
Noongar artist Justin Martin also installed artwork along the path, and will soon produce a mural on the fence behind the playground.
Melville mayor Katy Mair said the local community needed a new open area.
“The social and environmental benefits of green spaces in urban environments is well researched and documented,” she said.
“We acknowledge that with increasing density in this key Canning Bridge precinct public open space is vital and we hope the local community enjoy this new park.”
The decision to create a park on the vacant land was heavily debated by the council in recent years. The land has been earmarked for both lucrative development and a highly desired green space.
A divided council voted in 2023 to turn the land into a public open space with a children’s playground. In 2024, it rejected a $1.7 million concept plan for the design of the park, ignoring the hundreds of petitioners urging council to reconsider.
A cheaper $991,346 design was presented to the council in November 2024 and approved on the condition the city seek funding through election commitments and relevant grants.
Lotterywest backed the project with a $465,582 grant. The State Government also committed $150,000 towards the new park through an election commitment from Bateman MLA Kim Giddens.
“Protecting and enhancing our urban tree canopy and local environment is a key priority of mine, which is why I worked closely with local residents and community groups to help deliver this important community space,” Ms Giddens said.
