Active recreation has become increasingly important as lifestyle, family and employment commitments necessitate flexible forms of physical activity.

Glen Eira Mayor Cr Margaret Esakoff said despite having the lowest amount of open space per person of all municipalities in Greater Melbourne (12 square metres per person), the City of Glen Eira maximises the effectiveness of its open space through innovative design and provision of facilities, such as basketball rings, tennis hit-up walls, outdoor fitness equipment, a skates park and golf birdie cages.

“Council also operates some active recreation spaces, such as the court facilities at East Caulfield Reserve and Moorleigh Community Village, that can be booked for casual use,” she said.

Cr Esakoff said the City has a range of well-developed parks and reserves that provide opportunities for active recreation, but further facility development and delivery of programs will contribute to creating a more active and healthy community.

“The City of Glen Eira provides active recreation facility components across 28 parks and reserves,” she said.

“Opportunities to create new active recreation facilities to service the north-west of Glen Eira is vital for increasing physical activity in suburbs such as Elsternwick, Gardenvale and St Kilda East, as well as other localised areas that have gaps in the provision of open space.”

With targeted investment and commitment to delivery, the Active Recreation Action Plan will achieve the vision of ‘creating an active, healthy and connected community through the provision of diverse, accessible and high- quality opportunities for active recreation.’

To view the Active Recreation Action Plan, visit www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/our-city/sports-and-leisure/planning-for-open-space