Melbourne Australia
Suburban Parks and Reserves
Affectionately known as 'the people's playground', Albert Park is Victoria's most visited park. Venue for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, it boasts an 18-hole public golf course and driving range, 25 sporting fields for summer and winter games, and two new indoor sporting complexes including the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
South Yarra: Fawkner Park is named after Melbourne's co-founder, the Hon. John Pascoe Fawkner, and was created in 1862 comprising 100 Acres (40 Hectares). In the 1890s sections of the park were set aside for up to ten different sporting activities, ranging from golf to football.
Princes Park, in Royal Parade, Parkville, is conveniently located close to the city centre and is easily accessible by public transport. The Park was originally part of 2,560 acres reserved from sale by Superintendent La Trobe in 1845.
Templestowe: Located beside the Yarra River, it caters for a range of recreational activities for all ages. The Park is the backbone of interconnecting trails, linear parks, wetlands and waterways throughout the metropolitan area. The park has become a haven for wildlife. Westerfolds can be explored on foot, bicycle or canoe.
Wheelers Hill: Jells Park is an oasis in the suburban hustle and bustle of everyday life. Located on Dandenong Creek it is abundant with native plants and wildlife. Jells Park has so much to offer with over nine kilometres of paths and trails, and hectares of wide open spaces.
Parkville: Once an aboriginal camping ground, Royal Park was reserved for recreation purposes by Governor La Trobe in 1854. It is the place where the Burke and Wills expedition departed from in 1860, and was used for the stationing of troops in both the First and Second World Wars.
Mornington: With its 'village green' atmosphere, Mornington Park is located off The Esplanade near the Mornington town centre, it offers plenty of things to see and do. Originally called Victoria Park, the land was reserved in 1863 and given to the people in 1874 by pioneer Alexander Beatson Balcombe, who lived nearby at The Briars.
Kensington: J J Holland Park is named after John Joseph Holland, a former Labor parliamentarian who campaigned for the development of social welfare schemes. Holland Park, as it is commonly called, is freehold land owned by the City of Melbourne.
Frankston: Home to a large array of Australian native plants, George Pentland Botanic Gardens is a relaxing place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and to see the ever-changing and developing botanic displays. The undulating grassed open space and garden beds create a beautiful environment for community and family group activities.
