Opinions sought on Officer’s new open space

The masterplan design for Officer''s new open space area.

By Jessica Anstice

The council is welcoming feedback from the Officer community to help shape the official design of a new open space leisure park.

Officer District Park, to be located on Lansell Avenue, will feature a regional-level skate and BMX facility, wheeled adventure trail, fitness zone, play spaces and a dog off-leash area.

It will also have a café, wetlands, walking paths, picnic facilities, open grasslands and a lookout.

The $4.7 million project is jointly funded by Cardinia Shire Council and the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.

Cardinia mayor Jeff Springfield said the park will be a popular destination with residents, as well as with visitors from other parts of Melbourne.

“What makes Officer District Park special is that it will challenge and entertain people of all ages – kids, tweens, teens and adults – with a range of excellent fitness and recreation activities,” he said.

“The play space is set to include features such as parkour, an obstacle course, long slides, climbing, ropes, balance beams and climbing walls.

“The wheeled adventure trail will appeal to mountain bike riders and boarders, the skate and BMX park will be able to cater to large events, and the fitness zone will have steep stairs for intensive training.”

Cr Springfield added that anyone who is not fitness, fun, loves nature or has a sense of adventure will love the new open space area.

“So please hop online and give us your ideas for the design of the park’s main features,” he said.

The park’s master plan, adopted by the council in late-2018, was developed after two rounds of extensive community consultation.

It is now seeking community input to inform the designs of the five major elements of the park.

These designs will then be finalised, ready for construction to start in mid-2021.

Residents are invited to have their say on the design of the future Officer District Park at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay.

Feedback closes at 5pm on Sunday 21 June.

For more information about Officer District Park, contact the council’s passive reserves team on 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au.