FAMILIES and visitors can now enjoy a brand-new playground and recreation area at the Capel Sound foreshore just in time for the warmer months. The $1m upgraded space features a playground, a wheelchair accessible boardwalk with low seating benches, along with a barbecue, picnic tables and increased lawn area for all people to experience.
Community members together with Capel Sound Foreshores, which manages the site, gathered for an opening ceremony on 15 October, celebrating the completion of the project. Work on the new space, which was undertaken between March and August, was made possible thanks to $500,000 in funding from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, with the remainder raised by the Capel Sound Foreshores.
Foreshore manager Travis Graham said the redevelopment reflected the area’s growing family-friendly focus. “This is a brand-new facility for everyone to enjoy all-year round,” he said. “With facilities under pressure as visitors to the Mornington Peninsula increase, Capel Sound Foreshores, with the Victorian Government, have funded the redevelopment of the precinct, further opening up this sought-after seaside picnic area.
“Additionally, the project has provided environmental benefits by revegetation of the dune with indigenous plants, construction of dune fencing to help stabilize the dune, and reinstating lawn in areas where previous carparks and pathways have been removed.”
Located on Nepean Rd at the end of Truemans Rd in Capel Sound, the playground and recreation area sits with the Truman’s Road Precinct offering sweeping views of Port Phillip Bay. Graham said the foreshore committee had lobbied for funding in 2019 with the project aiming to create an area that was accessible and inclusive for all community members.
“Previously a campground area restricting access for locals and visitors, the previous committee made the decision to close the area to camping and refurbish it to create one of the most popular day visitor beaches along the bay trail,” he said.
“Since then, Capel Sound Foreshores have sealed the bay trail, added native vegetation, built a barbecue shelter and picnic tables and more recently, a modern and accessible all gender toilet block.”
Eastern Victoria MP Tom McIntosh said, “These upgrades in Capel Sound are supporting locals, visitors, and businesses by connecting families and the beautiful coastal environment”.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 22 October 2025
