Parks of Melbourne Parks of Melbourne

The picturesque backgrounds of inner Melbourne parklands are perfect for wedding photography, sporting activities and picnics. Towering trees, sprawling lawns, along with the many lakes and rivers, form a framework within which both native and cultivated vegetation flourish, while providing a home to many birds and an impressive variety of wildlife. The facilities offered at each of the parklands are extensive but varied. Ranging from rowing at Albert Park, horticulture lessons at the Royal Botanical Gardens to a civilised stroll in the sylvan avenues of the Carlton Gardens. Flagstaff Gardens allow us to stand at the highest point of City settlement, while the Treasury Gardens include a Japanese garden and Fitzroy Gardens, the Fairy Tree.

The King's Domain and surrounding parks support many memorials from our short history as well as the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Everyone can enjoy a day at The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens (today, more than ever, people can fully appreciate the true nature of the zoo's full name, delighting in the extensive plantings for both habitat and food) while Royal Park provides many walking and cycling tracks for the fitness conscious. Nowadays the lungs of St. Kilda Road, Fawkner Park will remain historically significant as World War Two saw it taken over by the army and occupied by 700 women!

Melbourne, however, was not always known as a beautiful, green City. In the beginning, many of the parklands we appreciate today were the subject of complaints centreing on their ugliness and odour. Many were swamplands used as dumps for rubbish, manure and nightsoil, until they were filled. Grass was grown and they gradually developed into the stunning features we see today.Parks Victoria manage one sixth of Victoria's land mass, employing around 800 people. Mark Deshayen from Parks Victoria says that due to pressure from the community, they are 'Always looking to purchase land to develop, as well as endeavouring to expand.' He feels their most important role is to 'maintain and preserve' as well as 'encourage fauna and flora' through revegetation. Albert Park is their biggest landscape in the City, the other parks falling under the jurisdiction of Melbourne City Council.

Melbourne parklands provide areas where Melburnians can pursue their love of the Great Outdoors.

Melbourne parks provide the luxury of feeling far from the chaos of the City, while only being a short stroll away. Increasing numbers of people moving to the C.B.D. means they serve as a backyard for those experiencing the convenience of City dwelling, while drawing a corporate clientele for a lunchtime escape.

So who actually owns the land? According to Linda Bee from Melbourne City Council, all the parklands are Crown land, with facilities like the cafes being leased to private operators. This leaves Council with a management role to ensure that Melbourne parklands are highly maintained and continue to exceed our expectations.

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❊ Web Links ❊

➼ Parks of Melbourne 

➼ www.parkweb.vic.gov.au






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