About the project

We're upgrading Lucerne Reserve, Karingal in 2024 in line with the Frankston City Council's Play Strategy. The play space is located between Lucerne Crescent and Escabon Grove.

Construction works are expected to begin in September 2024 and will take four months to complete.

What upgrades are proposed?

The proposed upgrade to the playspace will provide a broader range of play experiences, improved accessibility and connectivity.
The upgrade is focused on pre-school and junior ages physical play opportunities, however, will also cater for senior play with the basketball halfcourt.
The proposed upgrades include (but are not limited to):

• Refurbishment of the basketball half court area
• Improved connectivity and paths
• Play tower for junior play
• Basket swing
• Double swing set
• Climbing rope structure
• Timber rocker
• Inclusive trampoline*
• Inclusive spinner*
• Tree planting
• Nature play
• New seating and picnic table

We invite you to review our concept plan below, and to share your feedback via our short survey. We understand that the community highly values its play spaces, and we appreciate the time taken to share your thoughts with us! Your feedback will help inform the final design.

*Inclusive equipment is wheelchair accessible

How did we promote the engagement?

During the engagement period, we promoted this project to the local community. This included:

• 250 postcards delivered to nearby homes.
• Signage at Lucerne Reserve directing people to Engage Frankston to provide feedback.
• Email alerts sent to followers of Let's Play on Engage Frankston.

Engagement Results

A total of 46 respondents provided feedback on the draft concept plans.The majority of the respondents lived nearby and had children of an age that would use the play space and would visit the reserve. The results are presented below:

What is your interest in this project?

Answer Choices	Percent	Count
I live nearby (within 400m of the playspace)	86.96%	40
Someone in my household is aged 0-4	63.04%	29
Someone in my household is aged 5-11	34.78%	16
Someone in my household is aged 12-24	10.87%	5
Someone in my household requires accessible play options	10.87%	5
I visit the reserve to use other facilities (not the playspace)	19.57%	9
None of these.	2.17%	1
Total	100.00%	46

Do you like the look and feel of the proposed upgrades?

Answer Choices	Percent	Count
Yes	84.78%	39
Unsure / Mixed feelings	15.22%	7
No	0%	0
Total	100.00%	46

What are your favourite features from the draft concept plan?

Answer Choices	Percent	Count
Nature play	71.74%	33
New seating and picnic table	71.74%	33
Basket swing	69.57%	32
Climbing rope structure	60.87%	28
New play tower	58.70%	27
Inclusive trampoline	58.70%	27
Improved connectivity and paths	56.52%	26
Refurbishment of the basketball half court area	54.35%	25
Tree planting	54.35%	25
Double swing set	47.83%	22
Timber rocker	47.83%	22
Inclusive spinner	43.48%	20
Other	4.35%	2
Total	100.00%	46

Community comments about the concept designs

Summary of community comments

Eighty five percent of respondents liked the look and feel of the playspace and welcomed the upgrade. There were a number of requests to include additional items to the playspace however, unfortunately some of the items are outside of what is identified in the Frankston City Council Play Strategy 2021 for local major parks. The following items were requested:

• Fence
• Shade structure
• Drinking Fountain
• Rubbish Bins

A selection of comments are below:

• There should be water fountains installed in the park and water fountains for children to play on hot days.
• Great that council are updating this area. Please include bins for rubbish from both people and dogs.
• I would love to see some extra shade. In the summer the park currently only suited to early morning when the sun is low.
• There are not enough established trees to offer this over the main play space.
• Can we please include some monkey bars.
• My family is very excited about the proposed upgrades to our local park. Your plan looks well considered and thought out. Please consider a minimal height perimeter chain-link fence as extra safety - contain / stop runaway children from running out to the roads. Thank you!
• Looks good! Please consider fully fencing in this park, it’s close to a busy road and dangerous for toddlers who run or dogs.
• More picnic tables please especially for senior people who can't sit comfortably on the ground during picnics. If possible, please do not cut the existing trees.

Requests for additional features:

Items that have been included in the final design.

Based on the Play Strategy and feedback received from the community, the following items are included in the concept plan:

• Picnic Table
• Bench Seats
• Trampoline
• Additional landscaping along the fence-line

Next Steps

Construction is planned to start late in 2024.

Detailed construction information will be provided to the community before construction starts.