Melbourne parents' outrage over $2 million park upgrade

A group of Melbourne parents are outraged over a local council's decision to demolish a much-loved children's playground, leaving it with less play equipment than before.

The Collingwood parents launched a petition for the Yarra City Council to reinstate "suitable" play equipment, deeming the new playground at Cambridge St Reserve a 'failure'.

Parents said the new play equipment, which was part of a $2 million upgrade that took months to complete, encompassed a single swing and a set of "unreachable" gym bars.

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The redevelopment was funded by the City of Yarra Council and a state government grant.

It's added space to the area as well as structures including two large flying jumper artworks.

The park is part of an urban initiative to increase green spaces in the area.

"We've got more green space in Collingwood than we ever had before," councillor Sophie Wade said.

"This is now the biggest park in Collingwood."

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But parents have compared it to a prison.

"It's not very inviting for children," one mother told 9News.

"(My daughter) honestly takes one look at it and runs in the other direction."

The previous park had two slides, climbing structures and more variety.

The petition calls for the council to reinstate suitable and varied playground equipment to the park for the growing number of local children.

There are other redevelopments slated for other parks in the area, and parents are concerned the same thing could happen there.