Click here to find out what locals think of the "Pop - up ParkJock Campbell owner of Plump Organic Grocery store which is located at the other end of Ballarat st says the Park is "good for the neighborhood" and has not affected business
Yarraville’s “Pop – Up Park” experiment is set to become a mainstay of the village after the Maribrynong council revealed it plans to make the artificial park permanent. The move comes as the park continues to attract criticism from business owners in the area who say the cost of the park is unnecessary. The trial which began in 2011, and was the first of it’s kind in Victoria could be added as a permanent attraction as soon as next year according to councilor Martin Zahkarov . “We had always indented for the trial to be permanent, and we are now in the costing stages of that process” The park which, closes off the end of Ballarat Street between November and April, has been a controversial addition to the strip, with the 50 thousand dollar maintenance cost being criticised by some business owners, with other business owners accusing the council of giving the café’s in the strip an unfair advantage. Owner of Jimmy’s Wine Bar, Jimmy Maradona, whose business is located off ballarat st and away from the park, believes the money was not well spent. “I definitely think the money could be spent better.” He said “The money could be put into providing better schools, roads and festivals (in yarraville).” Owner of Java Café George Tsinklis who is on the strip also says he was baffled by the cost. “I don’t know where that 50 thousand went to be honest, they should keep it but they need to do a better job for that cost” The park, which was based on designs from Europe and North Americahas been widely supported by local officials however, with Yarraville Traders Association president Alexis Ensor claiming the cost to maintain the park has already been made back in publicity and visitors to the community. “ 50 thousand dollars would just get swallowed up with current infrastructure,” Ensor said. ABC news and other lifestyle programs were down here and you can’t buy that sort of exposure” Ensor excited by the prospect of the park being permanent did concede that business’s had suffered from the addition of the park as Yarraville residents became accustomed to the closing off of the area. “In the first year business was affected but that was mainly due to the confusion over liquor licensing in the area” he said. Cr Zahkarov also acknowledged that the park had been met with mixed responses but said community support was growing. “The Park has worked as an attraction, people come in from around the western suburbs… it has worked extremely well.” The council and local police also confirmed there had been complaints made in the area with alcohol being allowed in the park. Senior Sergeant Damien Jones from the Footscray Police s
JImmy Maradona, owner of Jimmy's Wine Bar at the End of Anderson St does not support the park
aid that “some complaints had been made, mainly concerning underage drinking” however no arrests have been made and that “The area is well patrolled by police.” Cr Zahkarov is confident however that despite the controversy the park will be a success in the long run. “Yarraville is an area in which something like this can work, I’m sure we won’t have many issues going forward.” The “Pop-up Park” is set to be removed next week with Ballarat street to re-open for drivers, an announcement on it’ permanent future expected soon.
Click here to find out what locals think of the “Pop – up Park
- Owner of Java Café George Tsinklas, who’s cafe is on the park strip says he supports the park, but the council needs to do a better job
