Play your way at Doug Denyer Reserve

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. We also asked what you would like to see as part of the proposed playspace upgrade, which is intended to be upgraded to a ‘Local’ level classification in line with our Play Your Way Strategy.

Based on feedback in relation to the playground area, we discovered:

• Many people wanted to see a larger basketball practice court, including space for netball and pickleball.
• Suggestions for new play equipment included climbing and spinning elements, new swings and nature play features.
• The addition of landscaping around the playground area, with improvements to picnic facilities and seating, was also requested.

With this feedback in mind, we have developed a draft playspace upgrade concept plan. Highlights include:

• Shifting of the playground area to the north of the existing basketball practice court to take advantage of the existing trees and the shade they offer.
• Adding an accessible concrete footpath up to the playground from the entry point on the eastern side of the reserve.
• New climbing structure and mound with slide.
• Two new trampolines.
• New swing set with junior and senior seats.
• New spinning bowl and new spinning carousel see-saw for younger children.
• New nature play area featuring a dragonfly sculpture.
• Enlarged multi-ball sports court including basketball, netball and line-marking for pickleball.
• New shelter with two picnic tables.
• New seats within and around the playspace.
• New garden beds and tree planting.

We now want to hear from you! Did we get it right?

View the draft concept plan.

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.

Have your say

Share your thoughts on the draft playspace upgrade concept plan for Doug Denyer Reserve.

You can also make submissions by emailing info@kingston.vic.gov.au or mailing PO Box 1000, Mentone 3194.

This consultation closes on Friday 30 January, 2026.

Playground Inspectors

We’re calling on our experts - Kingston’s playground Inspectors - to tell us what they think about our playgrounds. Want to become a playground inspector? Register here.