A CLOSED-OFF drainage site on Russell Street in Morley will be revitalised into a central park with a ninja warrior-style obstacle course in 2018.
The site is currently fenced off from the public but the fences will be removed following the finalisation of landscaping works.
Stage one of the project, formed by City of Bayswater and the Water Corporation, the owner of the site, kicked off this morning.
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READ NOWThe City will install an obstacle course, seating and lighting after securing $87,0000 in grant funding from Lotterywest.
The Department of Biodiversity, Attractions and Conservation also contributed $50,000 towards the conversion of the area alongside the existing drainage basin.
Mayor Dan Bull said the project was a great example of local and State governments and government departments working co-operatively.
“This area has been identified by the City as an important green area given that we have got the Morley structure plan coming through and the Master Plan that was adopted in 2010,” he said.
“The first stage is to clean up the area and bring in a pop-up park.
“The City’s longer term vision for Russell Street Park will take shape over the next five years and will see the transformation of the entire area including the adjacent drainage basin into a central park for Morley.”
Water Minister Dave Kelly said there was not a lot of green space in Morley and the community wanted somewhere to play.
Morley MLA Amber-Jade Sanderson said Russell Street Park would help with anti-social behaviour and bringing in more housing.
“We really need to turn this area into an area where people want to stay,” she said.
“Currently, people drive in, they go to the shop and they drive out.”
The park is expected to open between the end of February and the start of March 2018.
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