Families, nature lovers and local communities in the Dandenong Ranges can once again visit Silvan Reservoir Park, with works to deliver important upgrades now complete.
The park was closed in late 2022 due to a failing septic system at the toilets in the lower carpark. Works delivered through the Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program has enabled new toilets to be built and a new septic system installed, so that the park can safely re-open to the community.
The new toilets are DDA-compliant, and a new accessible parking bay has also been built next to the toilets, providing modern and accessible facilities for people with diverse needs and abilities to comfortably visit the park.
Visitors can also enjoy additional improvements, including refurbished barbecues and more than 400 square metres of resurfaced asphalt path. Landscaping works have also been completed to manage overgrown vegetation and high-risk trees. The Ferntree Gully Men's Shed also built and installed new and reburbished picnic tables at the park.
Pictured above: New DDA-compliant toilets and a new accessible parking bay have been built at Silvan Reservoir Park.
Parks and reserves play an important role in boosting the health and wellbeing of local communities across Victoria. Over recent years we've seen a significant increase in visitation at many of Melbourne's parks, highlighting how important it is to maintain the quality of these spaces.
The Victorian Government's $21 Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program is delivering upgrades at 21 parks across Melbourne, to provide more opportunities for people to get into nature for recreation, relaxation and spending time with friends and family. As part of this project new and upgraded visitor facilities such as barbecues, picnic tables and shelters, drinking fountains, toilets, pathways and playgrounds have been delivered at some of Melbourne's most popular parks.
Nearby in the Dandenong Ranges, the program has also delivered new barbecues, picnic tables, drinking fountains, shelter and a new playground at Ferntree Gully Picnic Area. At Grants Picnic Ground, new barbecues, shelter, signage and accessible picnic tables have been built.
Pictured above: The barbecues have been refurbished, and the Ferntree Gully Men's Shed built and installed new and refurbished picnic tables and benches at the park.
Silvan Reservoir Park is located on the traditional Country of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, and is well-loved for its vibrant birdlife, beautiful views, playground and picnic spots.
The vegetation within the picnic areas is a true representation of the cultural history of the area from the 1930s. Stone terraces and vine-covered pergolas are the framework for gardens of azaleas and rhododendrons, providing contrast with the manicured lawns and surrounding native Australian bush. It's a great place for families and nature lovers to get outdoors and connect with the stunning landscapes of the Dandenong Ranges.
The reservoir itself was completed in 1932 and at the time increased Melbourne's water storage capacity by 75 per cent. Today, Silvan Reservoir receives its water supply from the Thomson, Upper Yarra, and O'Shannassy Reservoirs, transferring water all over Melbourne.
