DeChene Reserve has been made safer thanks to a $192,000 grant from the Victorian Government's Community Crime Prevention program and $48,000 contributed by Moreland City Council.

The reserve – which is located just off Bell Street at Urquhart Street in Coburg – is now lined with lights, illuminating the car park, walking and cycling paths and the driveway from Urquhart Street.

Moreland Mayor Cr Helen Davidson said Council is committed to delivering projects that help people feel safe in Moreland.

“We know that if people don’t feel safe in their neighbourhood, they are less likely to participate and be actively involved in their community,” said Cr Davidson.

“By improving public safety we’re also encouraging more people to be more active, more often.”

The reserve is home to the Moreland Zebras, with a third of the club’s 300-plus members made up of women and girls.

“Whether you’re here for soccer training, walking your dog, cycling through, visiting the playground, or you’re a commuter hopping off the bus or tram along Bell Street or Nicholson Street; everyone makes a choice, day and night, about whether they feel safe using DeChene Reserve.

“With the installation of these new lights, that choice has now become easier, with the path through the park and into the car park now clearly lit,” said Cr Davidson.

“Research by Council shows that when women feel isolated from main activity areas, and feel like they can’t be easily seen, they are less likely to participate in sports, because they don’t feel safe.

“By having good quality lighting at DeChene Reserve we automatically have a safer environment for everyone.”

Dechene Reserve is located at 193 Urquhart Street, Coburg. In addition to the sporting ground the reserve includes a playground, picnic tables, a toilet, outdoor gym equipment and a designated dog off-leash area.

To find out more about Moreland’s parks and reserves visit find a park.