One of inner Melbourne’s most-loved family spaces is officially under wraps. Construction on the St Kilda Adventure Playground upgrade began on 15 April 2026, and the site will remain closed to the public for the duration of works. Here is everything local families need to know about the timeline, what to expect during the closure, and why this project has been a long time coming.
The construction timeline
Phase 1 of construction runs from 15 April to 10 October 2026. Phase 2 is then scheduled to begin on 19 October 2026, with the project expected to be completed in mid-2027.
There will be no public access to the park during construction. This is a full-site closure, not a partial one, so families should plan accordingly.
Where programs are moving
The playground’s programs are not stopping; they are relocating. From Monday, 11 May 2026, all St Kilda Adventure Playground programs will run from the Cora Graves Community Centre at 38 Blessington Street, St Kilda. All staff will move with the programs, and current opening hours, including weekends and school holidays, will continue. Current members aged 5 to 12 are welcome at the temporary site, and new members may be able to join if space allows.
The two-week window between 11 May and 25 May is a transition period as the service settles into its temporary home.
Why the upgrade is happening
The St Kilda Adventure Playground is more than 40 years old. While its philosophy of imaginative, risky-but-safe outdoor play has remained as relevant as ever, its infrastructure has not kept pace. The upgrade will replace ageing equipment, buildings, and ground surfaces.
Funding for the project includes a $1.02 million Commonwealth grant through the Thriving Suburbs Program, with City of Port Phillip contributing to the overall project cost. The result is intended to be a revitalised, inclusive, and safer playground that retains the spirit of what has made this site so distinctive in the first place.
What will be kept
Community feedback was front and centre in the design process. The City of Port Phillip ran a series of workshops with 80 children aged 4 to 12 to help shape the concept. Carers and playground staff also had direct input into the design.
Some community favourites are confirmed to be retained in the new layout, including the popular trampoline and the basketball court. The existing tree canopy across the site will also be preserved. A local artist is being engaged to work with children and staff on a new artwork for the upgraded space.
What this means for the neighbourhood
For families living in St Kilda, Elwood, and surrounds, the closure is a genuine inconvenience in the short term. The playground functions as an urban backyard for many local children, particularly those in apartments with limited access to private open space. The Cora Graves relocation keeps programming running, but it is not the same as having the full site available.
That said, the longer-term picture is a meaningful one. When the upgraded playground reopens, it will be better equipped, more accessible, and designed around the actual needs of the children who use it most. For families weighing up the inner south as a place to put down roots, a fully renewed community asset in this location is worth factoring into the picture.
Families can send questions to the City of Port Phillip via My Port Phillip, or track project updates at the Council project page.
