Brookdale Recreation Reserve
Delivering first baseball and softball facilities for Point Cook
Victoria

One of the main challenges for Brookdale Recreation Reserve was the site's very flat landscape. Flat ground may look ideal for sport, but in reality, it makes drainage far more complicated.

Without enough slope, water can't run off naturally, which means fields are more likely to become waterlogged during rain events. For a facility that aimed to maximise community use throughout the year, ensuring the fields drained quickly and stayed playable was critical.

Adding to the complexity, the reserve had to accommodate a mix of sports and activities, baseball, softball, cricket, and a running track, all within a limited footprint. Each sport has its own space requirements and technical design standards, so careful spatial planning and coordination were needed to make sure every facility worked effectively without compromising another.

To overcome the drainage challenge, SPORTENG designed a perched water table system. In simple terms, this is a specialised layer beneath the playing surface that helps control how water moves through the soil. It holds just enough moisture for healthy turf growth while allowing excess water to drain away quickly.

At Brookdale, this was paired with stormwater detention storage and a controlled outlet system. Together, these measures prevented waterlogging on the fields while also reducing the volume and speed of stormwater released into the surrounding environment during heavy rainfall. This approach not only protected the sports surfaces but also safeguarded nearby infrastructure.

The masterplan brought together a wide range of facilities. It delivered a multi-use natural turf field with a synthetic cricket wicket, a baseball diamond designed to Australian Baseball League standards with specialist scoria infield material, and a full-height backstop and integrated flynet fencing.

Alongside this, a community-level softball diamond with backstop fencing was added, as well as cricket practice nets.

Around the perimeter of the reserve, a synthetic collar running track was installed, encouraging casual recreation and fitness use. The project also included a new carpark and associated infrastructure to support the increased activity at the site.

Beyond sport, SPORTENG coordinated with external subconsultants to design the lighting system and deliver the playground, fitness zone, and Ninja Warrior course. Landscape architects from Design Table worked closely with our team to ensure the recreational features blended naturally with the sporting precinct.

Brookdale Recreation Reserve is now a thriving and inclusive community space that brings together both organised sport and casual recreation. It has delivered the suburb's first dedicated baseball and softball facilities, giving local clubs a true home ground and opening new opportunities for participation.

2023's Councillor Peter Maynard, the portfolio holder for Wyndham City‘s Active City, said, "I'm proud to say we‘re delivering on this mandate and providing Point Cook‘s burgeoning population with outstanding sporting and recreational facilities." 

Source: Point Cook’s Brookdale Road Reserve $5.6 Million Revamp

The combination of elite-standard playing fields, innovative drainage design, and family-friendly amenities has created a benchmark for community recreation spaces in Melbourne's west.