Play with Purpose: $11M for healthier, more connected communities
Published on 03 July 2025
Frankston City Council has invested $11 million to deliver 17 play space upgrades across the municipality since its Play Strategy 2021 was endorsed – and there are no plans to slow down, with five upgrades completed in 2024-25 and five more planned for this financial year.
The most recent play spaces completed include Monique (Langwarrin), East Seaford (Seaford), Lucerne (Karingal) and Heysen (Skye) Reserves, with Brunel Reserve play space (Seaford) set to open in the coming week. They include a range of features such as swings, trampolines, play units to explore, seating, and landscaping. At Brunel Reserve, the iconic red tractor has also been refurbished for more generations to enjoy.
The next round of upgrades includes an investment of $1.57 million to improve play spaces at Heritage (Skye), Ferndale (Frankston), Athol (Langwarrin), Lipton (Frankston) and Gamble (Carrum Downs) Reserves.
Funding has also been allocated in the 2025/26 budget to develop designs and undertake due diligence for other upgrades proposed for the following years.
In recognition of the quality of Council’s play spaces, the Victorian and Australian Governments have provided an additional $2.1 million in recent years to support play space upgrades including Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve (Carrum Downs), Rosemary Reserve (Frankston North), and Sandfield Reserve (Carrum Downs), which is due to be completed in the coming month.
The Victorian Government has pledged a further $1.5 million for upgrades to Banyan Reserve (Carrum Downs), also part of a proposed new pump track and play space development, and $240,000 for Heritage Reserve (Skye).
Cr David Asker said these investments reflect Council’s commitment to providing safe, accessible, diverse and inclusive play opportunities for its youngest residents and their families for years to come.
“We really value our open space in Frankston City and with 123 play spaces spread across each suburb, from Skye to Seaford, families are never far from a fun, safe place to play and connect,” he said.
“At a time when backyards are shrinking, this matters more than ever – for kids, for community, and for local businesses – who all benefit.”
Cr Sue Baker agrees.
“Our play spaces really are more than “play equipment”. They are spaces to stay active and healthy close to home and build connections - whether that’s by playing with your kids on the monkey bars, sharing a picnic and a chat with friends, taking a stroll, or shooting some hoops,” she said.
“The physical and mental benefits of play spaces are well documented, and wellbeing is something that we always prioritise for our community through several services and infrastructure like play spaces.”
Frankston City’s Play Strategy was endorsed by Council in 2021 following extensive community engagement. It provides a 10-year roadmap to guide investment in play spaces across the City.
The Play Strategy and the Let’s Plan Implementation Plan were recently recognised by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), receiving state chapter awards in the Landscape Architecture and ShadeSmart categories. Council is now in the running for national awards, to be announced in October.
For more information on the Frankston City Play Strategy: www.frankston.vic.gov.au/play-strategy-2021