Dandenong Park walk

Dandenong Park walk created by Jo

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Summary

Excellent public open space with plenty to entertain the kids and history buffs alike. A lovely way to spend the day.

Description

One of Melbourne's oldest and largest parks, the recent upgrades (completed 2020) ensure something for everyone.

The kids loved the playground - including a sand and water area - as well as having leaf races from the arch bridge. The open space and big trees were great for a game of hide and seek. No luck trying to move the giant bowling balls but lucky to spot a lizard basking in the sun.

Dandenong Park has existed since 1872, when Dandenong had developed enough to be considered more of a village rather than farmland. Story boards are dotted around and make for interesting reading about the history of the area, including:
- the former Drill Hall and baths sites
- timber cutting in the area (you can climb the stump of a 400 year old River Red Gum)
- the Dandenong Bowls and Croquet Clubs
- the Dandenong Nursery School
- the Boon Wurrung people, traditional owners of the land
- the original entry gates, with hollow posts and clever 'shadowing' on the ground to commemorate the original entry point.

Facilities: There is everything you could need here. Toilets (both north and south sides of the creek), plenty of seating and tables, bins, drinking fountains and electric BBQs.

For the sports minded, there is a soccer pitch, basketball court, table tennis tables (bring your own paddles and ball) and exercise equipment. On the day we were there a group had even set up their own volleyball court. Cricket and football are also on offer by the nearly 150 year old clubs at Shepley Oval.

Longer walk: The walk shown is only a short one showcasing the sites of Dandenong Park, but it can easily be incorporated into a longer walk by following the Dandenong Creek Trail towards either Jells Park (16 km) or Patterson Lakes (14 km). You could also link it with another nearby Dandenong walk.

Getting there: If driving, there are plenty of parking spaces on Pultney St. Dandenong train station is just under one km away, and there are also 20+ bus routes servicing the station. Or there's always the option of riding along the Dandenong Creek Trail and then wandering the area on foot.

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Points of Interest

1. Welcome to Dandenong Park

Hollow steel posts and pickets etched into the concrete commemorate the original entry fence and gates. Recent large 3D lettering continues to advertise the area to those passing by.

2. Dandenong Park Story: Dandenong Nursery School

The location of the Truby King Centre, which provided childcare, antenatal services, dental services for pre schoolers and training facilities until it's closure in 2015.

3. Stan Prior Stage

Space for community events or the kids to put on a production. Relax in the solitary sun lounge or spread out on a picnic mat. The stage is named after local legend Stan Prior.

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4. Dandenong Park Story: Dandenong Bowls Club

The giant bowls commemorating the Dandenong Bowls Club are fun for the kids. The site was originally chosen to make watering the greens easy. The club operated for 133 years, closing only in 2015.

5. Love the integrated seating!

Clever use of handles and wood converts a section of the brick border wall into a seat. This style has been used through the park, including to provide seating at picnic tables.

6. Arch bridge

The arch bridge provides a crossing of the Dandenong Creek and staging point for your very own barky boat (or plain old leaf boat) races.

7. Dandenong Park Stories: Beal (River Red Gum) and the Timber Cutters

A stump from a 400 year old River Red Gum presents a fun climbing challenge. The story boards tell how beal was used by the traditional owners and the local timber cutting industry.

8. River Gum Rest Playground

This enclosed playground has plenty to entertain the kids, including a water channel, sand pit and lookout as well as the standard slides and swings. The plentiful seating is appreciated by parents!