Princes Gardens masterplan implementation
In mid-2018, Council adopted a masterplan for Princes Gardens that will ensure the future of the Gardens as a vibrant, safe and accessible recreation and entertainment precinct the whole community can enjoy.
The Masterplan was developed following a series of community engagement exercises, initially in 2016 when the community was invited to share ideas to inform the draft plan, and again in early-2018 when feedback was invited on the draft masterplan ahead of its adoption by Council.
The improvements to infrastructure, landscaping and recreation opportunities contained in the Princes Gardens Masterplan will be implemented progressively over a number of years.
Latest News
26 July 2024 - Skate park opening celebration 2.0
We're back with Prahran Skate Park opening celebration 2.0 and you're invited!
After a false start in June when the weather put a dampener on the day, we're back and we're not going to let the Melbourne weather get the better of us.
Head down to the skate park from 11am on Saturday 17 August to be part of the action.
Watch the official opening, enjoy a free sausage sizzle, see pro skaters strut their stuff and take part to be in the running for prizes and giveaways.
Since opening our iconic skate park is proving a huge hit, so come along and see it for yourself.
Join us for Opening Celebration 2.0 ... and let's hope the sun shines through!
| When |
11am Saturday 17 August |
| Where |
Prahran Skate Park and basketball court
cnr Essex Street and Malvern Road, Prahran |
| Bring |
Yourself, your friends, your basketball, your board, skates or scooter. |
27 June 2024 - IMPORTANT CHANGES TO SKATE PARK OPENING
Due to the forecast of rain and strong winds on Saturday, we have made the difficult decision to cancel skating and basketball activities planned for the opening celebration.
Your safety and that of the pro-skaters and basketballers who were booked to appear on the day is paramount and we do not want to put anyone at risk by continuing to run an event in less than ideal conditions.
Although disappointing, we're pleased to announce we'll be advertising a new date for the skating and basketball demo and comps later this year.
Saturday's opening will still go ahead at 11am so come and join us to see the skate park officially open and stay for a sausage sizzle!
June 2024 - Opening Celebration | All welcome!
Come and help us celebrate a new era of skating and basketball at the iconic Prahran Skate Park and Basketball Court – back after a 12-month rebuild and bigger and better than ever!
Bring your board, bring your basketball, bring the family or just bring yourself - as we welcome skateboarding and basketball back to Prahran.
We’re excited to unveil the state-of-the-art sports hub and can’t wait to see you there.
ALL WELCOME!
| When |
11am | Saturday 29 June 2024
|
| Where |
Prahran Skate Park and Basketball Court
Princes Gardens
Malvern Road, Prahran
|
| What's on |
11am | Opening ceremony
Free sausage sizzle
|
April 2024 - project update
As we get closer to completing the skate park and basketball court redevelopment, many of the new elements are taking shape - such as the vert ramp, the new basketball court, the plaza and new public lighting.
In May, you will see construction works nearing completion with an anticipated opening of the new skate park and basketball court in early June – weather permitting.
In mid-May, we plan to replace the footpaths surrounding the skate park on Essex Street and Malvern Road. During the reconstruction of the footpaths, pedestrians will be asked to detour through the park for up to a fortnight.
We apologise for the inconvenience during these works and thank you for your patience.
|
January 2024 - project update
Since our last update in November 2023, a lot has been happening down at the skate park:
- all ground works, such as footings and underground services, are finished
- construction is well underway
- new vert ramp is taking shape
- a number of the plaza skate elements are in and looking great (think hubba, mini vert ramp, platforms)
As we move towards the opening in a few months time, lots will be happening in February - so look out for more updates coming soon!
|
|
November 2023 - project update
Since closing in mid-July, work on the new skate park has been progressing well with the demolition of existing structures, installation of underground services and earthworks now complete.
Works currently underway include the construction of the skate plaza, walls, lighting and preparatory works for the new vert ramp and, in the coming months, the new skate park and basketball court will really start to take shape.
June 2023 - Skate park CLOSING SOON
Prahran skate park and basketball court will close on 10 July 2023 for a complete rebuild.
The redeveloped skate park and basketball court will open in early-2024.
February 2023 - Skate Park contract awarded
The contract for the design and construction of the redeveloped skate and basketball facility in Princes Gardens has been awarded to CONVIC Pty Ltd who, with a wealth of experience designing and building skate parks across Australia, bring a high level of expertise to the project.
The current facility will remain open until mid-2023 while detailed design work is completed. The skate park and basketball court will close in July for demolition and construction of the new park. Construction will continue throughout the rest of 2023 with the redeveloped skate park and basketball court expected to open in early-2024.
Masterplan implementation
Future works
| Project |
Prahran Aquatic Redevelopment
An extensive community engagement program will be completed before any decision on the redevelopment is made.
|
Completed works
Final design and imagery
| Project |
Sports Courts redevelopment (multi-use courts) |
| Status |
Complete October 2022 |
| Funding |
This $1.167 million Princes Gardens masterplan implementation project is jointly funded by a Victorian Government Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program Grant and a City of Stonnington contribution. |
| Scope of works |
Redevelopment of existing multi-court site to accommodate:
Three full size tennis courts
Two regulation size netball courts
Two regulation size futsal courts
Upgraded lighting to energy efficient LED
New landscaping and fencing
|
| Court design |
Download Sports Courts Design(PDF, 6MB)
|
| Community updates |
November 2021 Resident notification postcard(PDF, 111KB) |
The Princes Gardens Sports Courts are being developed by the
City of Stonnington in partnership with the Victorian Government
| Project |
Building demolition and pocket park construction - 294 Malvern Road
|
| Status |
Complete mid-2021 |
Scope of works
|
Demolish existing building
Soil remediation
Construct temporary pocket park
|
| Project |
Building demolition - 22 Little Chapel Street |
| Status |
Complete mid-2021 |
| Scope of work |
Demolish building at 22 Little Chapel Street
(previously housed Maternal Child Health and Youth Services)
|
| Project |
Southern gardens and sunken oval |
| Status |
Completed 2020 |
| Scope of works |
New paths between Chapel Street and Essex Street
New lighting
New picnic area with shelters, barbecues and picnic tables
New park furniture
New irrigation system, garden beds and trees
Regrade sunken garden
|
| Supporting documents |
View Resident Notification(PDF, 824KB) |
| Project |
Central path and lighting |
| Status |
Completed 2019 |
| Scope of works |
Construct new four-metre wide path
Install new lighting
Install new park furniture
Install new irrigation system
Complete avenue tree planting
Realign fencing
Relocate shade sail posts and install new shade sails
To accommodate the works, some tree removal was necessary,
|
| Supporting documents |
View Resident Notification(PDF, 1MB) |
Timeline
| TBA |
Prahran Aquatic redevelopment (refer Future works) |
| 2023 |
Skate park and basketball court upgrade (refer skate park above) |
| 2022 |
Sports courts upgrade (refer Completed works) |
| 2022 |
Chapel forecourt and car park (refer Completed works) |
| 2021 |
Building demolition and temporary pocket park construction (refer Completed works) |
| 2020 |
Construction of southern gardens and sunken oval (refer Completed works) |
| 2019 |
Construction of central path and lighting (refer Completed works) |
| mid-2018 |
Council adopt Princes Gardens Masterplan |
| March 2018 |
Community feedback invited on draft Masterplan |
| August 2016 |
Council endorse draft Princes Gardens Masterplan |
| May/June 2016 |
Development of draft Masterplan |
| April/May 2016 |
Community consultation inviting input into development of draft Masterplan |
View Masterplan
Short and Long Term Objectives
Short term
- Establish a central pedestrian avenue as a key north-south axis, connecting Malvern Road in the north with Princes Close in the south. This pedestrian avenue will comprise a generously-dimensioned walkway with opportunities for feature paving, more seats, drinking fountains, bins, lighting and wayfinding signage. The pedestrian avenue will provide clear and open sightlines, improving amenity and safety for all users. Avenue planting of large, deciduous canopy trees along either side of the avenue will assist in making it a strong visual element of the Gardens.
- Remove the easternmost tennis court and create more green space.
- Reconfigure the forecourt area to the east of Chapel Off Chapel such that this space is a plaza integrated into the central pedestrian avenue, with improved access and sightlines. The intention is to establish a more prominent address for Chapel Off Chapel as a key attraction within Princes Gardens. The plaza will act as a key meeting space with the Gardens in a central location which is readily accessible from all surrounding streets.
- Establish a formal entry to Princes Gardens on Princes Close, at the southern end of the proposed central pedestrian avenue. The northern entry on Malvern Road is already accessed via historic entry gates, and an opportunity exists at the southern end to anchor the path.
- Remove the majority of the existing under-utilised pavement between Chapel Off Chapel and Malvern Road and replace it with grass and trees, as a means of providing more 'green space' in the northern part of the Gardens and improving the frontage to Malvern Road.
- Demolish 22 Little Chapel Street and relocate Council services elsewhere. Reconfigure car park further north to allow for an entryway/forecourt and event space to the entrance of Chapel Off Chapel.
- Demolish the majority of the existing car park to create a new civic space to include expanded green space and a central footpath connecting Chapel Off Chapel to Little Chapel Street. The space can be utilised for events associated with Chapel Off Chapel, as well as other complementary activities associated with arts and culture.
- Retain two existing tennis courts and reconfigure to become multi-use courts.
- Formalise and enhance the east-west connection from Little Chapel Street into the Gardens by replacing the existing goat track through the grass with a paved pathway and lighting.
- Establish a new picnic/bbq area within a highly-visible, central location close to main pedestrian thoroughfares and the existing playground. The picnic/bbq area should comprise all facilities required for such a use, including a shelter structure, seating, tables and bbq.
- Retain the existing basketball court. Install floodlights to the basketball court; lights to be installed on timers to balance night use with local residents.
- Retain the existing Prahran Aquatic Centre.
- Retain the existing passive recreation spaces in the southern part of the Gardens, including the sunken lawn.
- Retain the existing playground.
- Retain existing National Trust listed tree Combretum caffrum.
- Upgrade the existing Exeloo public toilet.
- Add a new single occupancy automated public toilet to service the northern section of Princes Gardens.
Update: This area is within a registered place and subject to a Heritage Victoria permit application. The proposed toilet within the masterplan was not supported by Heritage Victoria and is no longer proposed.
Long term
- Retain the existing 50-metre outdoor pool, with an expanded and improved pool deck, complete with custom-designed shade structures and expansive areas of usable recreation space. Replace the existing utilitarian fence at the perimeter of the Aquatic Centre with a new fence which is more architecturally-sensitive and complements the public domain of Princes Gardens.
- Provide a signalised pedestrian crossing on Malvern Road, on the alignment of the central pedestrian avenue, in anticipation of the redevelopment of the Horace Petty Housing Estate. This is subject to further investigation and Vic Road and Yarra Trams approval.
Supporting documents
View Princes Gardens Masterplan report(PDF, 3MB)
View Princes Gardens Masterplan staging plan(PDF, 3MB)