William Ross Park SPARC

We're upgrading the William Ross Park in Cleveland and we want your feedback on the project. It is proposed the upgraded park will include new facilities specifically designed for all ages, including new public amenities.

Our vision is to create a SPARC - a Socially Inclusive, Playful, Active, Recreation and Connected play space. We want to provide more flexible and relevant spaces that allow everyone to play, no matter what age, ability, culture or level of access you require.

As a community facility, it is important the final park design includes the ideas of everyone who will use it.

Features the Council is considering include:

  • Playground improvements for primary school aged children
  • Extra elements for teenagers, including a small wheeled play feature
  • A full size basketball court (half-court is due for replacement)
  • Physical activity stations
  • More seating and shelter
  • Better lighting to support commuting and walking for exercise and recreation

Become involved by:

We're upgrading the William Ross Park in Cleveland and we want your feedback on the project. It is proposed the upgraded park will include new facilities specifically designed for all ages, including new public amenities.

Our vision is to create a SPARC - a Socially Inclusive, Playful, Active, Recreation and Connected play space. We want to provide more flexible and relevant spaces that allow everyone to play, no matter what age, ability, culture or level of access you require.

As a community facility, it is important the final park design includes the ideas of everyone who will use it.

Features the Council is considering include:

  • Playground improvements for primary school aged children
  • Extra elements for teenagers, including a small wheeled play feature
  • A full size basketball court (half-court is due for replacement)
  • Physical activity stations
  • More seating and shelter
  • Better lighting to support commuting and walking for exercise and recreation

Become involved by:

  • May 2017 update

    about 1 month ago
    During March Council and Playce Design Group ran various community consultation programs engaging with locals to find out what features the William Ross Park space should include and to learn what the community valued about the space.

    • 3 school workshops with over 70 students aged between 9-12 from Cleveland District State High School, Cleveland State Primary School and Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School completed a survey, voted on proposed ideas and also drew their own ideas for the space.
    • A drop-in session was held at the park with over 70 local community members participating in the conversation by... Continue reading

    During March Council and Playce Design Group ran various community consultation programs engaging with locals to find out what features the William Ross Park space should include and to learn what the community valued about the space.

    • 3 school workshops with over 70 students aged between 9-12 from Cleveland District State High School, Cleveland State Primary School and Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School completed a survey, voted on proposed ideas and also drew their own ideas for the space.
    • A drop-in session was held at the park with over 70 local community members participating in the conversation by taking the survey, drawing their own ideas for the space and chatting to Council Officers about their vision for the space.
    • 200+ people participated in the online brainstormer activity by adding their ideas for the space or voting on others proposed ideas.

    Top 10 experiences voted by the community

    1. Ftness elements for all ages (114 votes)
    2. Natural adventure play (101 votes)
    3. BBQ areas (78 votes)
    4. Ball sports e.g. basketball courts (67 votes)
    5. Obstacle course (64 votes)
    6. Rideable terrain e.g. skate park (56 votes)
    7. Inclusive play (54 votes)
    8. Traditional motion play (51 votes)
    9. Sculptural play (47 votes)
    10. Bouldering play (49 votes)

    Common concerns

    There was open discussion about 3 key topics of concern from the community, some of the comments on these topics highlighted below. These topics will be developed further with council direction.

    Toilets

    • An active place needs toilets
    • Toilets in open and lit area
    • No toilets, concerned about anti-social behaviou

    Skate elements

    • Position skate elements away from residents to stop the noise
    • Skateable elements for youngsters to practice on scooters and bikes, but no full blown skate park

    Safety

    • Respect the residents and animals around the park
    • Timed lighting for safety security and nocturnal habitat