Second life forPage Trafalgar reserve
A linear reserve in Trafalgar that was almost sold off as excess council land two years ago will be formerly named.
The linear reserve running between Edward Cres and Cross Sts will be named Hollydell Park.
Baw Baw Shire Council has approved formalising the name and also will begin the process of rezoning the land to public park and recreation.
Council also will provide funding in its 2018/19 budget to provide interpretive signage at the park, outlining the history of the name Hollydell.
A report to council said the reserve was part of the open space contribution when the surrounding land was developed in the 1980s.
The land is currently zoned general residential. The areas has remained undeveloped and underutilised since being provided as public open space.
The land was owned and farmed by the O’Meara family from the 1930s. Mal O’Meara still lives within the vicinity of linear reserve.
Naming the park was in response to a letter received from the Trafalgar Community Development Association proposing several concepts for the reserve – including a name that represented the O’Meara family.
The name Hollydell is closely associated with the O’Meara family, being the name of the family property.
Council officers said the names was acceptable to the community and the O’Meara family.
Letters were sent to 84 residents with 33 responses received. All responses supported the name of Hollydell Park.
Cr Darren Wallace said it was not that long ago this reserve was proposed to be sold, which saw the local residents unite in their opposition and some were quite hostile about losing their park.
He said this “piece of paradise” had been transformed into an open space that has great potential given its location to footpaths, houses, schools and the off-the-leas dog walking area.
“It is a flat blank canvas that could become something special,” he said.
Cr Michael Leaney said from a branding point of view, naming the area Hollydell Park was much better than it being known as a linear reserve.