A new park in Docklands has officially opened to the public, named after Melbourne Football Club legend Ron Barassi Senior.
Minister for Planning Richard Wynne opened Ron Barassi Snr Park on Saturday, joined by Ron Barassi Junior and Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.
The $15 million first stage of the park includes a sports field, pavilion, playground, barbeques and a walking circuit.
The park offers more open space for Docklands residents, workers and visitors to play sport, have a barbeque, take the children to play or walk the dog.
The park’s name was chosen after a public vote in September 2014 and recognises Ronald James Barassi Senior, who played as a rover for the Melbourne Football Club between 1936 and 1940.
Within weeks of being a member of the 1940 premiership team, Ron Barassi Senior was posted overseas, as a volunteer, to serve in the Australian Army’s Second World War campaign in North Africa. He was killed in action at Tobruk in 1941.
“Docklands is only 60 per cent finished," said Minister for Planning Richard Wynne, "but has already attracted more than $10 billion worth of investment, and with it, thousands of new residents.”
“Ron Barassi Snr Park is a new milestone for Docklands, making it a more liveable and healthy place to call home.”
“We’re getting on with positive urban renewal for visitors and residents of this growing precinct.”
Ron Barassi Snr Park is the latest community facility to be constructed in Docklands. The park was identified as a community priority during consultation as part of the Docklands Community and Place Plan in July 2012.
Ron Barassi Snr Park has been delivered by Places Victoria and will be owned, operated and maintained by the City of Melbourne.
City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle was impressed with how far the Docklands has come.
“Docklands is a growing, thriving community and we all know that community infrastructure is the heart of all great neighbourhoods.”
“The City of Melbourne designed the park with the community in mind: it will help meet the demand for turf sports fields in the inner city and provide great spaces and facilities for everyone to enjoy.”
Docklands-based sports clubs are encouraged to express their interest in calling the park home.
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