Works are set to get underway this month to improve and create new play opportunities at Ruffey Lake Park’s popular Victoria Street playspace.

The works will include a playful rock feature with clay pebbles and decorative stones creatively designed by local school children.

The new nature-inspired play area will complement the existing equipment at the playspace and will include a water pump and river bed channel with water play gates as well as a giant gecko sculptural feature.

The creative pebbles and stones are part of an art project underway with local artist Jeanette Jennings, who is working with three local schools – Carey Grammar, Doncaster Gardens Primary School and Serpell Primary School.

The pebbles will be blue in colour and will be used to create a channel for the water to flow through down the embankment of the rock area. The giant gecko feature will also have bands of colour with red, orange, purple and brown stones.

The Victoria Street playspace at Ruffey Lake Park is one of Manningham’s most popular play areas and this new feature will enhance the mix of opportunities for children of all ages.

Due to be completed in June 2017, Manningham Mayor, Cr Michelle Kleinert said the new area will be a wonderful addition to the park.

“This is an exciting and fun project for Council to improve and enhance the play opportunities within our popular Ruffey Lake Park.

“It is great to have local school children involved in creating this colourful new space – a space that they, along with their friends and our broader community, will be able to enjoy,” she said.

The upgrade at Ruffey Lake Park will also include new planting of shrubs and trees throughout the playspace.

Works commenced on site at Ruffey Lake Park in April and are expected to be completed in June 2017.