Park maintenance and access

On this page:

• Access to parks and reserves for adjacent properties
• Park maintenance and mowing schedule
• How to report damage to park trees, toilets or equipment
• Park upgrades

Moreland has over 177 parks and reserves. Parks provide pleasant places for our community to enjoy and to relax, play sport or just read a book.

Access to parks and reserves for adjacent properties

There are many reasons that residents of Merri-bek may want to apply for access to one of Merri-bek's parks or reserves. Most commonly, access to a park or reserve is needed when completing a project in the backyard of a property which is adjacent to the reserve and requires vehicle or equipment access.

If you require access for less than 24 hours, you can apply for access by emailing the Open Space Department. Please allow three working days for this application to be processed.

Once your application has been approved, you will be able to pick up the keys from the Walter Street Depot, between the hours of 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

Please note: You will be responsible for the safekeeping of the keys. In the event keys are lost or not returned in the specified period, there is a $500 replacement fee.

If you require access for longer than 24 hours you will need to apply for an Open Space Temporary Occupation Permit (O-STOP). This permit is required to ensure public safety and the proper placement and storage of material and equipment in these spaces, including building materials. All requests are subject to approval by the Open Space Unit Manager.

Park maintenance works and mowing schedule

Council cleans and maintains all parks, reserves, playgrounds and sports grounds in Merri-bek.

Council carries out more major maintenance works throughout the year, such as:

• maintenance of Council's 120 playgrounds
• maintenance of Council's 1500 roadside garden beds (plantations)
• minor fence repairs around public open space
• garden bed maintenance in car parks, and
• garden maintenance in kindergartens and child care centres.

Schedule

The mowing schedule shows whether your park is normally on a two, three or four weekly maintenance cycle.

Council aims to achieve an 85 per cent or greater completion rate against this schedule.

We sometimes need to change the park maintenance works and mowing schedule as a result of storms, extreme weather or other urgent work.

How to report damage to park trees, toilets or equipment

To report an urgent issue, such as a fallen or hanging branch which is dangerous, contact Council on 9240 1111 (24 hours).

Report the issue through the Council website or contact Council to report damage in a park, including:

• dead, diseased or fallen trees
• damage to seats, tables, barbecues, water fountains and playground equipment
• dumping of rubbish
• graffiti
• used needles and syringes, and
• toilets facilities not working.

Park upgrades

Council has a program of upgrading parks and playgrounds, which is linked to the plan for all open space in Merri-bek. This plan is detailed in:

• Open Space Strategy 2012-22 (PDF 5Mb) 
• Open Space Strategy 2012-22 (DOC 6Mb)

Visit park and playground projects for details about upcoming park improvement projects.