Get a Kick at Docklands Park

As written by John Masanauskas for the Herald Sun, 3 October 2015.

Inner Melbourne’s newest park is to open at Docklands.

Ron Barassi Sr Park will be launched at NewQuay next Saturday with an open day featuring clinics run by the Melbourne Football Club and Melbourne Victory FC, and other activities.

Barassi Sr played for the Demons between 1936 and 1940 but was killed in action in Tobruk in 1941 in World War II. His son, Ron, also played for Melbourne and later coached, becoming a legend of the game.

The park, near the Bolte Bridge, includes a sports field, pavilion, playground, barbecue facilities and a walking circuit.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, who will launch the park with Planning Minister Richard Wynne, said the proportion of open space at Docklands was one of the lowest in the municipality in 2011 at only 2.2 per cent. “So I’m sure residents and visitors will embrace Ron Barassi Sr Park,” he said.

“Docklands is a growing, thriving community and we all know that community infrastructure is the heart of all great neighbourhoods.” Places Victoria general manager precincts Simon Wilson said the park’s name was chosen after a public vote.