Local open spaces are generally small areas of public open space that are located within neighbourhoods. Local parks are located within a comfortable walking distance for residents, without the need to cross a major road. They provide important social, play and casual recreation experiences for the local area. Around 80% of local parks are less than 1 hectare (10,000m²) in size and the range is from 0.12 ha (1,200m²) to 2.5 ha (25,000m²)

The proposed pocket park for Willis Street is around 1,200m².

Council created a smaller pocket park in Well Street, Brighton in 2023.

This 1,200m2 pocket park could be a passive space for local residents and visitors to relax and enjoy a quiet space just a short walk from the Hampton Street shopping precinct.

The site is near the popular Hampton Street shopping strip, a few doors down from the busy Hampton Community Centre, and there’s plenty of parking and public transport nearby.

The park could be a convenient place to have lunch or a coffee throughout the day. The area could include features such as outdoor seating, a picnic table, bike racks and accessible pathways, depending on the outcomes of community engagement.

Subject to support from the local community and Council, construction of the new pocket park could commence in mid-2026.

Feasibility studies in early 2024 indicated that the site would be suitable for an open public space for passive recreation. The site is considered too small and too close to residential properties for active recreation like sports courts, fitness equipment or a playgrounds.

Council has allocated $462,000 over the next 2 financial years to develop the site into a public open space from its capital works program, subject to community consultation.

Dogs are permitted within Bayside parks and open spaces but will need to be on leash at all times, unless the area is designated as an off-leash reserve.

Council is engaging community to understand sentiment towards converting this site into public open space.

If community consultation results in a rejection of open space but proposes an alternate use council will consider this when reviewing the community engagement results.

The site was previously the location of the 1st Hampton Scout Hall. In 2019, an analysis of the existing Council assets in the Hampton Street Activity Centre was undertaken which identified the Scout Hall as in ‘fair’ to ‘poor’ condition. From that work, it was recommended that the Scout Hall would be redeveloped for another use.

Previously the site had been included in the Hampton Public Land Masterplan which underpin the strategic direction for all 13 Council-owned sites within the Hampton Major Activity Centre.

Council resolved at the July 2024 meeting to develop this site as a public open space.

Find out more about the Hampton Hub (Hampton Public Land Masterplan.

This block was included within the extent of the Hampton Public Land Masterplan as a potential site for redevelopment for another use.

Council’s annual Council Plan action plan and Bayside 2050 Community Vision looks to increase open space opportunities and, as such, this site was resolved to be explored to be developed into public open space.

Council resolved in July 2024 to develop this site as a public open space.

Previously the site had been included in the Hampton Public Land Masterplan development which has investigating a large-scale development of the Hampton Activity Centre. Now that the site has been handed back to council post development of the rail line properties, Council can move forward with works for a public open space.

The Hampton Hub refers to the proposed development of key precincts within the Hampton Major Activity Centre.

The two key precincts within this proposal are the Willis St Precinct (Willis St to Hampton St, Hampton St to the railway line) and the Hampton Library Precinct (Hampton St, Thomas St, Service St).

Find out more

Council will be provided a report from this engagement to the level of support for open space in Willis Street and what it should include. Should the engagement be against a pocket park council will need to reconsider options for the site.

The concepts for the Hampton Hub proposal presented to council at the December 2023 council meeting included an option to convert the Willis St site into public open space. This aligned with several council strategic plans and visions for enhancing public open space.