LEEMING residents appear to have shot themselves in the foot, missing out on a “premium play space” which will instead go to their slightly ritzier neighbours in Bull Creek.

This week Melville council announced it would be putting concept plans out for a new multigenerational play space for Bob Gordon reserve in Bull Creek.

But the original idea was to include one at Peter Ellis park in Leeming, following a petition from locals concerned their suburb wasn’t getting enough love from the council.

The Herald understands that during the consultation phase there was so much in-fighting between the Leeming burghers over the proposal that a community reference group was formed which ultimately decided it would be less messy to put it in Bull Creek.

• The upgrade to the Piney Lakes Sensory Play Park has just been completed.

Melville mayor Russell Aubrey said after a number of meetings the reference group chose Bob Gordon reserve and suggested a number of potential uses.

“The feedback will inform the final concept plan and form part of the business case to build the play space,” Mr Aubrey said,

Key elements of the proposed park include:

• a central gathering space;

• space for pop-up food and drink vans;

• different sensory and development playgrounds;

• exercise equipment;

• toilets and picnic areas; and,

• a skate area and BMX track.

Meanwhile Melville has recently completed an upgrade to the Piney Lakes Sensory Play Park, which has been receiving rave reviews from mums, dads and kids. The new play space has swings, a roundabout, raised concrete sand and water play tables, a central play dome and picnic area.

by STEVE GRANT