There’s so many beautiful parks and gardens to explore around Melbourne, and soon, there will be a brand new space for you to check out in the eastern suburbs. Created from over 35 hectares of former freeway reserve, this urban park will run from Forest Hill, through Vermont, and connect to the Dandenong trail. It will feature a 3.5km shared-use walking and cycling trail, as well as open recreational spaces. The park is named ‘ngarrak nakorang wilam‘, which means ‘Mountain Meeting Place’, and was chosen by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. Construction has already begun, and is expected to finish in mid-2026.
ngarrak nakorang wilam park
This new park will allow more opportunities for people to get out into nature. The shared-use trail will run through the entire length of the park, and feature seating, drinking fountains, lighting and signage at key spots to help cyclists, runners and walkers. The trail will also have activity spaces, with play equipment, picnic tables, shelters, barbecues and accessible toilets.
“The creation of ngarrak nakorang wilam park will open up the equivalent of 18 MCGs of parkland to the public, making it easier for locals and visitors to access a massive, beautiful open space,” said Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos. “Not only will the park become a place for people to come together and enjoy the great outdoors, the improved biodiversity will create an important habitat corridor for all manner of birds, mammals and reptiles.”
There’s a comprehensive vegetation strategy in place to enhance the biodiversity of the area. New plantings will provide habitat for local wildlife, such as gang-gang cockatoos, kookaburras and echidnas. There will also be habitat improvements, such as nesting boxes, and weed control.
This park will be established on what was previously known as the ‘Healesville Freeway Reserve’.
To learn more about the park, click here.
