A Fitzroy Street fantasy - What the Park could look like

Trees, park benches, people and free Wi-Fi in Fitzroy Street Park (Albert Park on Fitzroy Street)

The reality (Albert Park on Fitzroy Street) today

The elm trees in this park on St Kilda's Fitzroy Street were cut down years ago and nothing has been done to replace them. There are no park benches or trees and therefore no people. Vote on this site to change this. Parks Victoria says "An ongoing program of tree planting will be continued focusing on clusters of trees at strategic locations to provide shade and enhancement of key recreational areas and the maintenance of existing avenues." Good idea but why is it not happening on Fitzroy Street?

A plan for the Park

From Fitzroy Street

Port Phillip Strategic Management Plan - Albert Park on Fitzroy Street - Is this happening?

"Ensure than open space assets such as Albert Park Reserve, which are not managed by Council, but which are highly significant to the local community, are protected, enhanced and well maintained."

Parks Victoria's 2002 tree strategy for Albert Park - Is this policy being implemented?

"An ongoing program of tree planting will be continued focusing on clusters of trees at strategic locations to provide shade and enhancement of key recreational areas and the maintenance of existing avenues. Tree types will be selected to reflect or complement the character of the immediate vicinity. Fast growing, low maintenance indigenous trees will be the preferred option where they would be consistent with the character of the park. There are significant areas of the park where the permanent planting of trees is inappropriate, including playing fields and areas required for the Grand Prix infrastructure each year.

To enhance the attractiveness of Albert Park by increasing the tree canopy to provide shelter and shade, to minimise the visual disruption caused by essential recreational support facilities.
maintain Albert Park’s character and amenity, Parks Victoria will:
• provide and maintain appropriate tree planting to:
- enhance the visual amenity of the park
- screen visual intrusions into the park environment without endangering visitor safety
- provide shelter and shade from the elements at strategic recreational locations
• maintain existing trees in good health and condition and progressively replace aged and
ailing specimens
• conserve and enhance remnant species where possible"
Parks Victoria's 2002 tree strategy for Albert Park

Plane trees work on Swanston Street,. They could work in a park too.

From Fitzroy Street

Plane trees line Swanston Street, St Kilda Road and the rest of Fitzroy Steet - Why not here too?

From Fitzroy Street

My fantasy is that there would be Plane trees on both sides of the eastern part Fitzroy Street (as with the rest of the street)as well as in the new park

Park benches are not well positioned

From Fitzroy Street

My fantasy is that park benches would be in the Park and under trees(rather than along the road)without shade

Many parks around the world have trees planted in them

From Fitzroy Street

.... and park benches under the trees for people to sit on. Photo courtesy of James Nixon

Here's a park in Paris with trees and park benches for people

From Fitzroy Street

... and in London

From Fitzroy Street

From Fitzroy Street

Photos courtesy of James Nixon