Improving Doug Denyer and Kevin Hayes Reserves

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Consultation has concluded


An update on our plans to improve Doug Denyer and Kevin Hayes Reserves


In 2025, you shared your thoughts on the concept plan for the proposed improvements at Doug Denyer and Kevin Hayes Reserve. Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.

Your input has helped shape the final plan, which is now available to viewing and includes:

  • Picnic shelter with platform bench seating
  • Enhanced landscaping and biodiversity planting
  • A new pedestrian and cycling bridge across the Heatherton Drain
  • Upgraded car park and kerb edging
  • Pedestrian crossing point over McDonald Street
  • New sections of gravel paths across both reserves
  • Refurbished dog agility equipment


Please also note the following adjustments to the draft design based on community feedback and requests:

  • Additional gravel paths to improve accessibility across both Reserves
  • New lighting for Kevin Hayes Reserve to improve safety
  • Removal of the fenced small dog area and adjacent planting to preserve valuable open space
  • Additional shelter next to the existing shelter in Kevin Hayes Reserve to increase shade and weather protection, with platform bench seating for dogs and their owners.


The improvements will be delivered in stages, with initial works due to commence in late April.



In May 2025, we consulted with the community to understand how Doug Denyer and Kevin Hayes Reserves are currently used, identify any concerns, and capture preferences for future improvements.

Based off feedback, we discovered:

  • Many people care about the space and want to see it improved.
  • Some frustration was noted regarding parking, flooding, and maintenance.
  • Suggestions reflect a desire for an inclusive, safe space for people of all ages.
  • The community is invested in shaping the reserve to meet growing recreational and environmental needs.
  • The need for a balanced approach: enhancing usability, protecting the natural character, and improving passive assets.

We have developed a draft improvement plan for the reserves to guide the long-term and pre-planning for the site - and now we want to hear from you! Did we get it right?

View draft improvement plan


This consultation closed on Sunday 16 November.



Site limitations

Doug Denyer plays an important role in the local drainage network with a flood retarding basin and large Melbourne Water drain separating the space between Doug Denyer and Kevin Hayes Reserve.

Doug Denyer is also a former landfill site. As part of the environmental management, the old landfill site was capped. This cap varies in depth throughout the site. Because of this, there are limitations on what can be installed on site and where facilities can be located. There are also restrictions on where tree planting can take place. Every effort will be made to increase planting and tree canopy cover across the site, in appropriate places.



An update on our plans to improve Doug Denyer and Kevin Hayes Reserves


In 2025, you shared your thoughts on the concept plan for the proposed improvements at Doug Denyer and Kevin Hayes Reserve. Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.

Your input has helped shape the final plan, which is now available to viewing and includes:

  • Picnic shelter with platform bench seating
  • Enhanced landscaping and biodiversity planting
  • A new pedestrian and cycling bridge across the Heatherton Drain
  • Upgraded car park and kerb edging
  • Pedestrian crossing point over McDonald Street
  • New sections of gravel paths across both reserves
  • Refurbished dog agility equipment


Please also note the following adjustments to the draft design based on community feedback and requests:

  • Additional gravel paths to improve accessibility across both Reserves
  • New lighting for Kevin Hayes Reserve to improve safety
  • Removal of the fenced small dog area and adjacent planting to preserve valuable open space
  • Additional shelter next to the existing shelter in Kevin Hayes Reserve to increase shade and weather protection, with platform bench seating for dogs and their owners.


The improvements will be delivered in stages, with initial works due to commence in late April.



In May 2025, we consulted with the community to understand how Doug Denyer and Kevin Hayes Reserves are currently used, identify any concerns, and capture preferences for future improvements.

Based off feedback, we discovered:

  • Many people care about the space and want to see it improved.
  • Some frustration was noted regarding parking, flooding, and maintenance.
  • Suggestions reflect a desire for an inclusive, safe space for people of all ages.
  • The community is invested in shaping the reserve to meet growing recreational and environmental needs.
  • The need for a balanced approach: enhancing usability, protecting the natural character, and improving passive assets.

We have developed a draft improvement plan for the reserves to guide the long-term and pre-planning for the site - and now we want to hear from you! Did we get it right?

View draft improvement plan


This consultation closed on Sunday 16 November.



Site limitations

Doug Denyer plays an important role in the local drainage network with a flood retarding basin and large Melbourne Water drain separating the space between Doug Denyer and Kevin Hayes Reserve.

Doug Denyer is also a former landfill site. As part of the environmental management, the old landfill site was capped. This cap varies in depth throughout the site. Because of this, there are limitations on what can be installed on site and where facilities can be located. There are also restrictions on where tree planting can take place. Every effort will be made to increase planting and tree canopy cover across the site, in appropriate places.