By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
THE Mount Evelyn Township Improvement Committee (METIC) has devised a plan for a pop-up town square during the Mount Evelyn Street Party in October.
METIC held its annual meeting in March, and the pop-up town square is one of many plans that are being formulated for Mount Evelyn.
The temporary public space is being designed as a public space as well as a business space to give locals and tourists a feel for what a permanent town square may look like.
“We have a plan towards permanency for a town square, but that’s a few years off,” METIC chairperson Sue Colverson said.
“The idea of this temporary one is to have something big enough for people to interact with and see what it looks like.”
The town square is based on similar designs in Europe where cafes from the borders of the central square all serve food, and people can meet so all are intermingled in one outdoor space.
“It brings a relaxing garden space into the town and a space for families,” Mrs Colverson said.
Local nurseries will lend trees and fountains to the project and the temporary space will give people an opportunity to see how rooms and areas can be created with green walls and an ultimate vision for the town square to include a music space and outdoor entertainment.
Another project discussed at the meeting was the winged lion seats, which have been a part of Mount Evelyn history as far back as the 1950s.
“We are partnering with the history group, Yarra Hills Secondary College and the mayor to apply for a grant in the hope of getting a mould made to repair the chairs,” Mrs Colverson said.
METIC is in the planning stages of designing a history tour of Mount Evelyn based around the locations of the seats.
“We want to put them around the town so people can do a history tour and find the seats near other historical spots with maps at the community link. It will be a game of finding the seats and learning the history of Mount Evelyn,” Mrs Colverson said.
METIC has also found other things that add value to the town for everyone including a community meal planned for December and they are seeking a location for a tourist hub.
“It’s all about partnership,” Mrs Colverson said.
“It’s about lifting the profile of Mount Evelyn and giving local communities things they can do, based around fun activities, exercise and health and tourism.”
