Prioritising general public use of Footscray Park's Western Lawn

Published on 20 March 2024

Prioritising the general public’s access to Footscray Park’s Western Lawn and forming a Community Advisory Panel to review the 2011 Masterplan are among several actions endorsed at last night’s Council Meeting.

City of Maribyrnong Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam, said Council is committed to providing passive open space for all members of the community to enjoy.

“The Western Lawn is a major asset in Council’s open space network, and provides the community with a backdrop for passive use, festivals and events, dog walking, physical recreation, active transport and cultural appreciation.”

“Council will be prioritising general public use of Footscray Park, including both informal and formal use by residents and community organisations. This includes restricting use of the Western Lawn to casual and occasional overflow use by community sports clubs,” Mayor Lam said

“We will be establishing an Advisory Panel to ensure equal opportunity for groups and individuals to be heard in relation to the future of Footscray Park and the review of the 2011 Master Plan,” Mayor Lam continued.

Council also decided to cease construction of the granitic path surrounding the Western Lawn.

Council acknowledged that further consultation with the community needs to be undertaken on any additional proposed changes to Footscray Park, including lighting, tracks/paths, the playground and north-western corner of the Western Lawn where accessibility is proposed to be optimised.

The vision for the Western Lawn outlined in the Footscray Park Master Plan, is for a space that supports both passive and active recreation opportunities to service our entire community, including providing overflow for formal and casual sporting uses of the traditional playing fields at Western Lawn, and maintaining the area as a dog off-lead space.

See here more information about the redevelopment of the Western Lawn.

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