Tree Walk Park in the Berwick Waters community has picked up the Social Infrastructure / Community Infrastructure Award at this year’s UDIA Victoria Awards for Excellence, placing the spotlight on how local parks can influence daily life in growing neighbourhoods.
The project, delivered by Frasers Property Australia and Mondous Property, opened in April and forms part of a wider network of Livvi’s Place inclusive playspaces found across the country. The initiative is driven by the Touched by Olivia Foundation, whose focus on inclusion and wellbeing has shaped the design of more than 45 playspaces nationwide. The approach has become familiar to families who want local recreation areas to feel inviting and accessible, rather than one-size-fits-all.
Tree Walk Park adds to the wider community facilities planned for Berwick Waters, a fast-growing development in Clyde North in Melbourne’s south east. The masterplan includes 50 hectares of open space, along with walking and cycling paths that link various pockets of the community. For many households, the network of parks is a drawcard, especially as the area progresses toward its target of about 2,500 homes.
Frasers Property Australia’s General Manager Development Victoria, Sarah Bloom, says the recognition from UDIA reflects the shared effort behind the project. She notes that the park was shaped through cooperation between the developer, landscape architects at Tract, the City of Casey, the Touched by Olivia Foundation, community members and other stakeholders. According to Bloom, the intention was to create a place that supports connection and provides a comfortable setting for residents to meet, talk and enjoy time outdoors.
Tree Walk Park sits alongside existing attractions such as Grand Prix Park in the College Green area of Berwick Waters, which features a kids’ racing track, mini trampolines, a zipline and a play tower. The addition of a second park gives families another spot for everyday play, weekend activities and social meet-ups, especially as the area welcomes new residents.
Community groups in the region have noted the value of having a variety of outdoor spaces as the population rises. While some parks focus on active play, others are designed with quieter areas or features that cater to different ages and abilities. The inclusive model behind Livvi’s Place aims to offer options that reduce barriers to participation, an approach that has steadily gained support across many local councils.
For Berwick Waters, the award brings positive attention at a time when Melbourne’s outer suburbs are continuing to expand. As more families move into Clyde North, access to thoughtfully designed public spaces is becoming an essential expectation rather than a bonus. Tree Walk Park’s recognition provides further momentum for similar community-driven projects and shows how collaboration between developers, local government and advocacy groups can shape practical, everyday spaces.
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