Help us design a new playspace at Rotary Park

Rotary Park is a community level-playspace, designed for local families and visitors of all ages to enjoy short visits (up to 1 hour).

Rotary Park is designated as a community-level playspace under the Frankston Play Strategy 2021, which helps guide how playspaces are upgraded and which features are best suited to each location.

We’re planning upgrades that will:

• Support nearby Bowerbird Kindergarten with outdoor learning and activities
• Include inclusive and accessible play options for everyone
• Improve picnic facilities for social gatherings

Upgrades that will not be possible at Rotary Park:

As a community-level playspace the Play Strategy, Rotary Park will not include public toilet facilities. It also will not include a BMX track, water play area, or multi-use court, as these amenities are being provided at the nearby Banyan Reserve and Sandfield Reserve.

How did we promote the engagement?

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

• Email notifications to 1044 Engage Frankston subscribers
• Email notifications to 670 Mini Frankston City members
• Frankston City eNews article
• Signage installed at Rotary Park
• Letters to surrounding properties
• Posters and surveys displayed at our engagement stall at the Great Pet-Together event at Ballam Park.

Engagement Results

A total of 74 responses were provided about the draft concept plans. Of these, over 90% visited Rotary park regularly, with 15% visiting Rotary Park everyday, and over 40% once a week.

How often do you visit the Rotary Park and/or the playspace?

In your family, what are the age/s of those who would use the playspace?

The majority of respondents had children in their family aged 0-11 who would use the playspace.

If you don’t currently visit Rotary Park, could you please tell us why?

41% of respondents said that they do not visit Rotary Reserve as it lacks variety of equipment and facilities, and 37% said they did not visit because the equipment was dated. 5% of respondents said they don't visit as the current equipment is only for smaller children.

How do you normally travel to Rotary Park?

Of the 74 respondents, 59 (80%) walk to Rotary Park. 12% travel there by car, and 4% cycle/ride.

What do you and/or your children LIKE about the current features such as, the swings, slide, play towers, monkey bars, climbing net, surface materials?

Of the 59 respondents to this question, 31 (53%) said they like the swings, 16 (27%) said they like the slides and 9 (15%) like the monkey bars.

What do you and/or your children DISLIKE about the current features such as, the swings, slide, play towers, monkey bars, climbing net, surface materials?

Of the 56 respondents to this question, 28 (50%) said they dislike the dated equipment, 8 (14%) said there is not enough for older kids at Rotary Park, and 7 (13%) said they dislike the surface material (tan bark).

What themes would you like to see considered in the playspace upgrade at Rotary Park?

The proposed theme of 'Nature's Playspace (Celebrate the trees and local ecooloy through nature-inspired design)' was ranked first with a count of 60. The theme of 'Bushland Explorers (Integrate play features that reflect kindergarten-style activities inspired by bushland settings) was ranked second with a score of 56.

Other theme

When given the opportunity to proposed a different theme for the playspace, 18 respondents provided a range of ideas, with 3 917%) referencing 'fun', and 2 (11%) mentioning 'bike riding' and 'nature play'.

Does anyone in your family or community have a disability or additional support needs?

16 respondents answered this question by providing examples of how the playspace could be more inclusive. These options included:

• Improved access to the park, basket-style swings, height-related activities, ramped play equipment, sand pit/play at different levels, wider paths and suitable surfaces for children in wheelchairs.
• A public toilet for young children
• Fences.
• Safe/quiet spaces and sensory activities/equipment for school-aged children
• Colourful equipment and sounds for vision-impaired children
• Seating near equipment and active equipment for older people.

What is your favourite reserve and/or playspace to visit (in Frankston City or elsewhere)?

Of the 55 (74.3%) of respondents to this question, 18 (33%) said Sandfield Reserve is their favourite, followed by 12 (22% listing Ballam park, and 10 (18%) listing Carrum Downs recreation Reserve.

We will report back on how the engagement results have influenced the final concept design

Our next update will be provided between December 2025 - June 2026. Follow this page to receive updates.