The long-awaited Esplanade Park has officially opened along the Mount Pleasant foreshore, transforming a former senior citizens centre and construction vehicle carpark into a vibrant community space.
Park Features and Design
The park, which opened last week, connects Kishorn Road with The Esplanade, creating 2000 square metres of open space. It is part of the Canning Bridge activity precinct and includes a concrete footpath, new garden beds, vegetation, and a playground themed around the egret bird.
Cultural Input and Artwork
Whadjuk Noongar Elder Nigel Wilkes and knowledge holders Bella Bropho, Alice Kearing, Melba Bodney, and Iva Hayward-Jackson provided cultural input into the park's design. Noongar artist Justin Martin installed artwork along the path and will soon create a mural on the fence behind the playground.
Melville Mayor Katy Mair emphasised the importance of green spaces in urban environments. "The social and environmental benefits of green spaces in urban environments is well researched and documented," she said. "We acknowledge that with increasing density in this key Canning Bridge precinct public open space is vital and we hope the local community enjoy this new park."
Council Debate and Funding
The decision to create a park on the vacant land was heavily debated by the council. In 2023, a divided council voted to turn the land into a public open space with a children's playground. In 2024, it rejected a $1.7 million concept plan, ignoring hundreds of petitioners. A cheaper $991,346 design was approved in November 2024, on condition the city seek funding through election commitments and grants.
Lotterywest contributed a $465,582 grant, and the State Government provided $150,000 through an election commitment from Bateman MLA Kim Giddens. "Protecting and enhancing our urban tree canopy and local environment is a key priority of mine, which is why I worked closely with local residents and community groups to help deliver this important community space," Ms Giddens said.
