Overview
New York has Central Park. London has Hyde Park. Berlin has its Tiergarten. Sprawling inner-city parklands are a pivotal part of many of the world's best cities, and now Brisbane is getting its own — revamping the site at Herston that's currently home to Victoria Park Golf Course.
Announced by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner back in June and dubbed Victoria Park Vision, the transformed spot will span 45 hectares — and, as well as almost doubling the amount of space that's currently available to Brisbanites, it'll mark the city's biggest new park in five decades. With the golf course's patronage in decline in recent years, its 26 hectares will be reclaimed and reshaped; however, its popular attractions will remain. That means that the driving range and mini-golf course will stay onsite, as will the function centre and wedding venue.
Exactly what else will be included has yet to be finalised, with the Brisbane City Council earmarking $1 million over the 2019–20 financial year for community consultation and design. As part of that decision-making process, BCC is currently calling for ideas from the public — so, if you're keen to have your say on what the site should feature, you can currently do just that by submitting your thoughts online.
Fancy a permanent food truck site? Bike tracks? Green open space? A skating rink? A pond with pedal boats? If so, you just need to add your feedback by Sunday, September 29. Brisbane residents can fill out a survey, make written submissions, and submit photographs or design ideas.
"Other successful parklands across Brisbane have pop-up cinemas, different types of markets, community events and include revolutionary play areas for all ages. These are all options we will explore with the community," said the Lord Mayor Schrinner in a statement.
Whatever ends up within its grounds, the updated spot will act as a green link for the area, connecting Kelvin Grove, Herston, Bowen Hills and the Brisbane Showgrounds. The Courier Mail reports that Victoria Park Vision will also include water features, woodlands and gardens — and, size-wise, will rank second in in the city to the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.
In terms of access, it'll link in with the existing busway at Herston. And, when it's up-and-running, the park will also be serviced by the Brisbane Metro at the the Herston and Kelvin Grove stations.
Just when Victoria Park Vision will be open to the public is yet to be announced, but work is due to get underway when the golf course closes in 2021.
For more information about Victoria Park Vision, or to submit your ideas for the park, visit the Brisbane City Council website.