Maribyrnong councillors voted unanimously at its meeting on Tuesday night to make Yarraville’s popular pop-up park permanent.
The council will close Ballarat Street between Murray and Canterbury streets, laying synthetic turf; introducing seating, planter boxes and large umbrellas; and planting permanent shade trees along the length of the park.
Maribyrnong mayor Grant Miles told the Weekly that community support for the park had been enormous, as shown by survey results and extensive social media campaigns.
“It’s fairly obvious from the Facebook campaign and the lobbying from residents that they wanted it in the community,” Cr Miles said.
He said the $250,000 project was an exciting example of a council initiative being embraced by the community.
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Traders and residents rallied last year upon learning the pop-up park would not be returning to Yarraville over summer.
The Yarraville Traders Association wanted the pop-up park back and has raised funds to ensure it runs through until Easter.
Sun Theatre marketing manager Kris Jansson said making the park permanent “just makes sense”.
“People have said all through the summer ‘why would they take it away’,” she said.
“We have had such beautiful support from the community with people coming down with a watering can to water the flowers or help staff put away furniture at the end of the night. People feel like it’s a real community project.”
Works on the permanent park would begin in July and the park would be in place by December.
The council will be seeking public comment on the plan.
