Glen Iris Park Wetlands (Glen Iris)
The Glen Iris Park wetlands were inspired by a strong belief that open space along the Gardiners Creek Valley should serve an ecological and educational role, rather than being purely recreational and ornamental.
The wetlands consist of three separate water bodies of various size and character, linked by bluestone channels, and a weir on Hedgeley Dene Drain.
Fallen dead trees, nesting boxes and an island were incorporated into the wetlands development to provide birdlife with safe nesting sites inaccessible to humans and their pets.
A wide variety of birds visit the area, including black ducks, white-faced herons, white necked herons, little cormorants, little grebes and swamp hens. The bird life will increase in number and diversify as the wetlands continue to mature and evolve, and provide more shelter and food.
The park offers BBQ facilities, playground toilets and shelter.
Review:
On the north side is a playground next to an oval with shelter, BBQs and water tap. The park follows Gardiners Creek and includes some ponds. There are some information boards along the paths and we saw a fair number of various waterbirds. There is one large bird hide.
Even though the area is next to the freeway it is not too noisy, although the large electricity pylons are an eye-sore. For bike riders, there are a lot of turn-offs and intersections of paths which are mainly asphalt with some gravel. The total length of the ride was quite short. There was a connection to the Gardiners Creek Trail and there is an underpass under the Monash Freeway to get to Allenby Avenue and from there it is 400m to the Hedgeley Dene Gardens.
Photos:
Location
21 Estella Street, Glen Iris 3146 Map
