Perth Voice Interactive

WORKS are underway at the Oxford Street park.

Vincent council’s giving the area a facelift, with:

• more shadzed seating near the playground for parents to have a coffee and keep an eye on the kids;

• the park extended to the coffee shop so there’s not a road separating it from the park;

• the southern end turned into an active urban play area with outdoor ping pong and chess tables;

• the park opened up to make it less desirable for unsavoury persons;

• the installation of a nature playground, at the urging of former mayor Alannah MacTiernan who’s worried kids are kept so safe in modern playgrounds they’re becoming incapable of dealing with adversity.

The work’s due to be finished mid-year.

The plan earned criticism from nearby cafe owner Debbie Saunders who’s unhappy with the consultation process, loss of 24 parking bays and the direction of the project (see this week’s Voice Mail). Ms Saunders erected a large sign branding Oxford Park “MacTiananmen Square”.