Albert Park-on-Fitzroy Street

I wonder if a Baillieu Liberal State Government in Victoria will make Albert Park on Fitzroy Street more people friendly by improving the design of the park and the number of shade trees

2010-11-29T09:44:00.001+11:00

Here's some Victorian Liberal Party policies that suggest they might:
"ASSESSING FUTURE PUBLIC PARKLAND NEEDS
A Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will:

Assess all public parkland and open space requirements across Melbourne to ensure that as the city grows, adequate open space and parkland exists for public use.
The Liberal Nationals Coalition’s record on new urban parkland is exceptional, with large swathes of parkland established under former Premiers Hamer and Kennett. The previous government established one of the largest urban parklands in Australian history in its commissioning of Birrarung Marr.
A Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will use opportunities created through urban renewal to examine the possibility of adding to Melbourne’s public parklands. Opportunities exist in E-Gate to extend the Moonee Ponds Creek parklands and potential exists with remnant lands from roads and other
transport developments to establish new parklands throughout the metropolitan area."
"URBAN DESIGN
A Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will:

Establish a new Urban Design Panel, chaired by the Victorian Government Architect to oversee design competitions for government-funded public infrastructure and community projects;

Restore independence, authority, independent funding and a fixed four year tenure to the office of the Victorian Government Architect to give Victoria an architectural guardian over the built form of our state.
Whether it is a bus shelter or a new hospital, the Liberal Nationals Coalition believes good design is essential to preserving and enhancing Melbourne.
A Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will establish an Urban Design Panel to oversee all State Government work.
The Panel will also manage design competitions for selected State Government work to enable a new quality of design in public and community infrastructure."

A Fitzroy Street fantasy - What the Park could look like

2008-10-18T13:32:00.002+11:00

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

The reality (Albert Park on Fitzroy Street) pre-May 2010

2008-10-18T13:32:00.001+11:00

The elm trees in this park on St Kilda's Fitzroy Street were cut down years ago and in May 2010 Parks Victoria began some tree replacement - alas no elms or deciduous shade trees. Future efforts by Port Phillip Council and Parks Victoria need to be focussed on making this area as people friendly as possible. The local community has put forward plans for this. A coherent people oriented design with more seating and shade trees would be a start
Here's the progress as at 3 June 2010 :

From St Kilda Today

Here's a design for Albert Park on Fitzroy Street

2008-10-18T13:31:00.000+11:00

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

2008-10-18T13:21:00.001+11:00

"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?

2008-10-18T13:20:00.001+11:00

"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

The City of Melbourne's Plane trees work on Swanston Street. They could work in a park too.

2008-10-17T09:34:00.000+11:00

From Fitzroy Street

Many parks around the world have trees planted in them

2008-10-11T14:59:00.000+11:00

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

2008-10-10T09:52:00.000+11:00

From Fitzroy Street

... and in London

2008-10-08T20:37:00.000+11:00

From Fitzroy Street

2008-10-07T20:39:00.000+11:00

From Fitzroy Street

Photos courtesy of James Nixon