Bulleke-Bek Park Playground is a beautiful playground and park located at 1 West St, Brunswick within the Merri-Bek City Council. The Park and Playground provides the community with:

• Nature play
• Slides
• Swings
• Climbing equipment
• BBQ facilities
• An undercover area
• A toilet
• A large grassy space and community garden

A dream for children, caregivers, dog lovers and local community members, many a good time has been had at this playground. 

HOWEVER - The playground poses huge hazards to children and their caregivers:

• It is situated alongside the Upfield Shared Path, an extremely utilised and high traffic bike and pedestrian pathway
• It is situated alongside the Upfield train line, cool for watching the trains, not so cool for the dangers this poses to children
• This section of the train line is level to the path, with a pedestrian crossing located within 10 metres to north western entry to Bulleke-Bek Playground
• Horizontal wire fencing similar to fencing you might see on a deck has been installed on the western facing aspect of the park which runs parallell to the train line and shared path. Children can easily get through the huge gaps between the wires (see image A below)
• Wooden fencing has been installed on the northern aspect of the park which runs parallel to a dead end street that provides access to the shared path and the level pedestrian train crossing
• The Upfield train line is scheduled for level crossing removal work in the next 3-5 years which will significantly impact the park and playground

Image A - Western aspect of park with wire fencing

PROPOSAL: Merri-Bek City Council installs permanent and complete fencing around the playground portion of the park (see image B below) to significantly reduce the risk of serious harm or death occurring due to the high number of hazards surrounding the playground.

BENEFITS of permanent and complete fencing around the playground include:

• Greater support and peace of mind for parents and caregivers who are tasked with the supervision of more than 1 child (it is a mammoth undertaking for a solo parent or caregiver to keep their eyes on more than 1 child at a time!)
• Supportive and safe containment for children who are runners
• Pre-emptive work that will be necessary for when the level crossing removal project commences along the Upfield train line

Image B - Current fencing (green and blue lines) and proposal of new fencing boundary (gold line)

Gold = Proposed permanent and complete fencing to enclose the playground and aspect of the park running alongside the train line and shared path

Green = Current and incomplete wooden fence running alongside West Street

Blue = Current and incomplete wire fencing running alongside train line and shared path

SUPPORT of this proposal means:

• You support the safety of children
• You support the wellbeing of parents and caregivers - Having a complete fence does not mean a reduction in vigilance or supervision, but it does provide some respite to the constant and challenging demands of parenting ESPECIALLY when there is one parent or caregiver tasked with supervising multiple children
• Outdoor activities, engagement and play for children is highly beneficial to their overall wellbeing

LET'S SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN, PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND COMMUNITY! 

Cheers,

Liv x (a parent and Merri-Bek resident)