Cr Susan Rennie, Darebin Mayor

The State Government has announced it will contribute $400,000 for Darebin to construct the Oakover Pocket Park in Preston.

The pocket park will be located on the now-closed slip lane on the corner of Oakover Road and High Street. Its construction will help revitalise the Preston Junction precinct by creating a new pocket park in an area of Darebin that has been identified in lacking open space for residents.

Creating the new pocket park was a key project in the Junction Urban Master Plan which was endorsed by Council in 2014.

A trial of the pocket park was temporarily tested in 2016. Community feedback on the idea showed over two-thirds of submissions supported the permanent closure of the slip lane to create a new public open space.

Last year, Council began works to revitalise the site which included widening the footpath, planting six new trees and installing a drinking fountain.

On Sunday May 24, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning announced the Oakover Pocket Park was one of 24 new parks across Melbourne to receive funding through the Suburban Parks Program.

This funding will be used to finalise the pocket park which includes four new custom seats, nine new trees, a bike repair station, bike parking, bins, and new garden beds which will use stormwater runoff.

“Council is very thankful to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning for their significant contribution towards the Oakover Pocket Park project. This will help revitalise an area of Preston that lacks open space for the community to enjoy,” Darebin Mayor Susan Rennie said.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2021.