The Allan Labor Government is delivering a new, world-class skatepark in Cheltenham designed with the help of Melbourne skateboarding legend and Olympic judge Renton Millar, as part of the Suburban Rail Loop.
Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop Harriet Shing today announced the updated designs, which incorporate extensive feedback from local skaters, families and Kingston City Council.
Featuring a dynamic mix of bowl and street skating zones and artwork celebrating the historic Highett Gasworks pipework, the new skatepark will anchor a major transformation of Sir William Fry Reserve.
The upgraded precinct will include a new multi-sport court, pickleball court, off-leash dog park, more vegetation and lighting, upgraded seating and pathways and a new events lawn to host festivals and markets.
Around 250 local community submissions helped shape the final concept, with more than 90 new trees to be planted and new cycling and walking paths set to create the first-ever direct link between Highett and Bay Road along the Frankston Line.
The new permanent open space will replace parkland in the southern part of Sir William Fry Reserve near Bay Road, which is needed to build the SRL station in Cheltenham. The new open space will open before major station construction starts in 2028.
The SRL underground station in Cheltenham will be the southern gateway to the loop, connecting more people to jobs and shopping, while providing Frankston line passengers with a convenient connection to Monash and Deakin universities.
The new SRL Cheltenham station will also slash travel times.
- A skateboarder from Box Hill will be able to reach the world-class Cheltenham skatepark in just 22 minutes on SRL - compared with a 30-minute drive or a 55-minute trip on public transport.
- A Springvale family heading to the new multi-sport court at Cheltenham Station will cut their journey by 16 minutes, reducing travel from 42 minutes to just 26 minutes on the SRL.
Construction is well underway on SRL, with more than 3,000 people already working on the project, tunnel boring machines launching next year in Clarinda and Burwood and trains running in 2035.
As stated by Minister for Suburban Rail Loop Harriet Shing
"The Suburban Rail Loop will slash travel times and cut congestion for busy families - while delivering 70,000 more homes within walking distance to jobs, healthcare, and Australia's largest universities - it's also delivering well-planned multi-use community spaces just like this to enhance liveability."
As stated by Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos
"Local feedback has helped shape the designs for this exciting new open space which will benefit our community well before SRL opens in 2035."
As stated by Member for Southern Metropolitan Ryan Batchelor
"Cheltenham, Highett and Pennydale locals will be able to enjoy a new and improved space and fantastic new skate park and sports court to exercise, play and meet with friends and family."
As stated by Olympic skateboarding judge Renton Millar
"I'm stoked to be helping with the design for the new Cheltenham skate park - I've designed skate parks all over the world, and this one is walking distance to my house, so we're going to make it a good one! It's going to be great to give the local kids a super rad skate park."
