Westerfolds Park, Melbourne

MelbourneParks
park= Westerfolds Park


image size= 250px
caption= Map of Westerfolds Park
type=Public Park
location= Melbourne, Australia
coordinates=
size=123 hectares
opened= 1977
operator= Parks Victoria
visitors=
status=Open (8:30am-9pm)
landscape= Bushland and Hills
vegetation= Eucalypts, Acacias, River Red Gums
water= Yarra River, Kestral Creek
paths= 5km of Sealed Paths, Unsealed bush paths
facilities= Toilets, Barbecues, Playground, Cafe, Canoe Ramp
landmarks= Yarra River, Manor House
transport= Car, Bus

Westerfolds Park is situated in the eastern Melbourne suburb of Templestowe, Victoria, Australia. (Melway ref: 33 F2). Car Entry is from Fitzsimons Lane and Porter Street.

Westerfolds is classified as a Metropolitan park and conserves riparian habitat within the Melbourne urban environment. The park nestles into a bend in the Yarra River and has a network of bitumen and gravel paths, shelters, playgrounds, picnic tables and electric barbecues. It is a popular spot for picnics, and family gatherings on the weekend and public holidays. Other recreational pursuits include walking, cycling, rollerblading, walking the family dog, canoeing, horse riding and bird watching.

Near the centre of the park atop a large hill lies the Manor House which houses the Mia Mia Gallery and Cafe, an Aboriginal owned and operated enterprise. The business aims "to establish an interactive family centre which is relaxing, entertaining, and educates people about Aboriginal culture." Visitors may be treated to aboriginal dancing and didgeridoo playing, indigenous history tours, bush walks, boomerang throwing, or a gallery tour. Or visitors can just rest over a capuccino and morning tea in the cafe.

History

In 1846 the land was purchased from the Crown. In the early 1930s, the Turner family bought the property and built "the Manor" in 1936. After World War II many of the dairy farms and orchards in the surrounding area were subdivided for urban development. Because of flooding in the Yarra River, Westerfolds was not subdivided and was eventually added to the Yarra Valley Parklands in 1977. Parks Victoria (then known as Melbourne Parks and Waterways) took over the management and conservation of Westerfolds Park in 1978.

Revegetation and conservation programs are underway with the re-establishment of native grasslands and wetlands. Over 400 plant species native to the area can now be found including Eucalypts, Acacias, River Red Gums, and native grasses and shrubs. Visit in late winter and early spring to experience the wattle trees blooming throughout the park. Parrots, cockatoos, kookaburras, water and small bush birds can be seen, along with bats, platypus, wombats, koalas, possums and, until they were hunted to extinction in 2008, Eastern Grey Kangaroos.

Recreation

Westerfolds Park forms part of the main Yarra River Trail for cyclists and walkers to explore the Yarra river valley to the Melbourne CBD. Cyclists can access Westerfolds Park via the 4km Diamond Creek Trail from Eltham station.

Cycling

The Yarra River Trail runs through the park. There is over 5km of sealed pathways in very good condition, much of it is of generous width with a centre dividing line, gutters and drains. Many cyclists take the paths at high speed, particularly the through-route paths as cyclists travel through the park on longer journeys. Most pedestrians are considerate of cyclists and walk on the left hand side of pathways. One danger is pedestrians walking dogs who have little control over them.

Off road, there are many obscure dirt or gravel pathways winding through the bush, most of it is very flat and mainly used by casual cyclists as alternative routes to the sealed pathways. Occasionally, small mountain bike events are held on the trail in the middle of the park that crosses Kestrel Creek several times over a series of narrow boardwalks. Pedestrians occasionally use these boardwalks and it can be dangerous taking them at high speed unless the area is taped off for an event.

Walking & Running

The 5km of sealed pathways provides excellent conditions for runners and walkers, there are 4 or 5 drinking fountains evenly distributed throughout the park, roughly every kilometre, and seats & benches at simmilar intervals. Schools from the surrounding area hold anual fun run events in the park, this usually involves using 2 tracks, a short loop and a longer loop. Some small change rooms are available in the toilet facilities but these are infrequently kept. Snakes are rarely encountered unless pedestrians wander onto dirt and gravel paths. Pedestrians should always remain on the left hand side of pathways to enable safe shared use by cyclists and pedestrians.

ightseeing

There are many things to see in the park, mostly native vegetation and wildlife, Eastern Grey Kangaroos are easily seen at any time in open grasslands. Viewing platforms along the Yarra River afford good views of the river and rapids. Guided walking tours are held, contact Parks Victoria for more information. In most weather conditions, the city can be seen from the Manor House hill when looking south-west.

Facilities

*Manor House - cafe, gallery, toilets
*Toilets (3) - in the south and north-eastern areas
*Barbecues (2) - in the south and north-eastern areas
*Canoe Launching Ramp - in the north-eastern area, just downstream from Fitzsimons Lane Bridge
*Designated Picnic Areas (4) - in the south, south-east and north-eastern areas
*Information Boards (4) - located along the sealed pathways
*Viewing Platforms (2) - in the north-east and north-western areas, on the river banks overlooking rapids
*Car Parking - over 100 spaces available

Access

The park is open every day, including weekends and public holidays, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and during daylight savings from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, extending to 9:00 PM in peak summer periods. Visitors can access the park via road through gates on Porter Street and Fitzsimons Lane, while pedestrian & cycling pathways remain open at all hours.
*Car:Through gate off Fitzsimons Lane:Through gate off Porter Street
*Bus:Numbers 153, 201 & 301 stop near Porter Street Entrance:Number 293 stops on Fitzsimons Lane Entrance:Numbers 152 & 281 stop near both Porter Street & Fitzsimons Lane Entrances
*Pedestrian & Bicycle:Over footbridge from Montpelier Reserve:Pathway from Porter Street:Pathway from Candlebark Park:Pathway from Fitzsimons Lane
*Canoe & Kayak:Canoe landing just downstream from Fitzsimons Lane Bridge

External links

* [http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=210 Parks Victoria - Westerfolds Park]
* [http://www.reconciliationvic.org.au/index.cgi?tid=19 Mia Mia Gallery and Cafe Bush Tours]