THE grass is not always greener in West Footscray.

And residents are seeing red. They're calling on Maribyrnong Council to stop neglecting their drought-affected local park.

Friends of Gaudion Reserve member Natalie Thomas said about 300 people gathered at the reserve on Saturday for a community picnic and to share ideas on improving the Barkly Street site.

"The surface is quite unstable and rocky," she said.

"There is no practical shade, no landscaping [and] a lack of seating and age-appropriate play equipment."

Ms Thomas said: "Our children play sports in dust next to a main road with no safety fencing."

She claimed that the council had forgotten about West Footscray.

"Local residents are extremely frustrated when they see the quality of parks in other parts of the municipality." Almost 300 signatures were gathered for a petition to include

the reserve in council's 2010-11 budget.

Mayor Sel Sanli said residents' requests would be considered by the council.

"Local parks are important to get people more active and to socialise," he said.