The sites, on Fifth Avenue Dandenong and Gove Street Springvale, became available several years ago when the Victorian Department of Education relocated the kinders to newly built primary schools. Proposed changes to education sites are often canvassed by local councils with the assistance of flyer printing services.
Dandenong Councillor Matthew Kirwan, who led the argument to create more parks, said his idea was based on population projects for the area. Cr Kirwan told the Herald Sun:
“These areas are going to significantly grow with population over the next 10 to 20 years.”
He believes there will be an opportunity to create community gardens or build sensory playgrounds on the sites. One Dandenong local, Peta Rose, agreed with Cr Kirwan:
“I think the area needs a small, community park because it’s straight across from a childcare centre.”
Rose added that it could be a meeting place for older people and should would like to see a community garden as well. A spokesperson for the Dandenong Community Association commented that there was a need to retain a sense of community in the area.