Planning your next park visit

Merri-bek is home to many amazing parks, reserves and open spaces. This year, local parks have been more important to our community than ever, offering a place for respite, recreation and now restrictions have eased, for reconnection.

We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of visitors to our parks. In response, we've increased patrols in reserves during after regular hours to assist with animal and community safety. We’re also working on reporting for the upgrade of signage and amenity in reserve areas.

When you are planning you next park visit, make sure you check if your activities are in line with public health restrictions and Council event permit requirements. You also need to comply with local laws and ensure you clean up after yourself.

If you’re planning event over 100 people, with infrastructure, performance or require site exclusivity, you will need to apply for an event permit.

This helps to keep our parks beautiful and safe for everyone to enjoy. 

Each reserve will have signage on display that will provide further detail on what is allowed to occur at that park.

Frequently asked questions about using our parks

Outdoor heat health and safety

As the weather warms up, there is nothing better than a day in the park with friends. During extreme heat events or heatwaves, it is important we take extra precautions when planning outdoor activities.

Some ways to keep cool when enjoying our parks and reserves are:

• Monitor weather forecasts and DHHS heat health alerts 
• Stay hydrated. Always carry a drink bottle and make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. Our parks have plenty of water taps available.
• If you go outside in high temperatures, plan your activities to take place in the earlier, cooler parts of the day. Avoid exercising in extreme heat. You should also consider whether it might be best to leave your pet at home indoors or somewhere cool.
• Plan your picnic or activities in a shady spot. You can also bring tents or beach style marquees (anything that doesn’t require pegging) to provide you with shade. 
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Wearing light, breathable clothing will help keep you cool and protect your skin. 
• Never leave adults, kids or pets in a hot car. Temperatures can double within a car in a matter of minutes and it is unsafe.
• If you need to cool down, you can get relief from the heat in our libraries, community centres or shopping centres.

If you or someone you know is unwell you can call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 for 24-hour health advice or see your doctor. In an emergency, call 000.

You can find out more information about how to stay safe and keep cool in the heat on our page on the emergency management of heatwaves.