Woowookarung Dementia Friendly Forest & Sensory Accessible Walk, Ballarat

Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail, Katy Ryans Rd., Canadian 3350

Woowookarung Dementia Friendly Forest & Sensory Accessible Walk, Ballarat

Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail, Katy Ryans Rd., Canadian 3350

Staff Pick
30 m
1.21 km
Easy

This peaceful looping track in Woowookarung Regional Park is designed and built for easy and calming accessible walking or rolling in a small, quiet forest pocket.

Woowookarung Dementia Friendly Forest & Sensory Accessible Walk, Ballarat

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Summary

This peaceful looping track in Woowookarung Regional Park is designed and built for easy and calming accessible walking or rolling in a small, quiet forest pocket.

Description

Find out more

Enter a peaceful forest with grass trees and other native plants. Forest birds and wildlife may be seen or heard.

Is this walk accessible for me?
This short looping walk is accessible for everyone. It is easy to do by foot, in a wheelchair or with any other mobility aid.

There are accessible signs and QR codes for describing what you see and hear.

How accessible is the path?
Paths are compacted fine gravel. They are smooth and wide. There is a gentle slope up to the return point of the walk. There are no steps. A boardwalk is smooth, wide. It has a non-slip surface.

There are leaves and twigs on the path.

Only small children may ride bikes on the walk. No horses or motor bikes are permitted.

Rest areas
Seats with arm rests are easy to access along the walk. The shelter at the start of the walk has information and a map. It does not have seats.

The forest is generally shady. Being SunSmart is still a good idea.

There are no rubbish bins. Please take your rubbish home.

There are no drinking fountains. Carrying a water bottle is a good idea.

Toilets
There are no public toilets. The nearest park with an accessible toilet is Lake Esmond (2 kilometres).

Dogs
Dogs must be on leash. Please clean up after your dog.

Public Transport
There is no public transport to this accessible walk.

Parking
Two sealed accessible spaces with a protected side space are provided. There are no kerbs There is direct access to the walking path and shelter.

We would like to know what people with disability and carers think of our accessible Walking Maps. Please tell us by completing this 5 minute survey. Your feedback will help us to create high quality information about accessible walks.

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Points of Interest

1. A clear entrance

A sign marking the beginning of the trail clearly marks the entrance from Katy Ryans Road.

2. Accessible parking

Two accessible sealed spaces have a protected side space. The surrounding area is smooth, firm and flat compacted granitic sand. There are no steps. It easy to proceed to the information shelter.

3. Information shelter

This shelter provides an accessible symbol based map of the walk. There is a legend to explain the special features of the walk.

4. Accessible directional signs

There are directional signs at every place paths join each other. These signs have a "You are here." arrow. Note: dogs are permitted, but must be on a leash. Please clean up after your dog.

5. Boardwalk

A 1.8 metre wide boardwalk by a wetland has a smooth, grippy plastic grated surface. You can sometimes hear frogs at this spot.

6. Seating and the path

Seats with armrests are provided. They are connected to the walking paths all the way along. Paths are about 2.0 metres wide, firm and smooth. They are good for side by side travel and turning around.

7. Stone Circle

A circle of flat topped stones for group seating has been installed here. It is intended as a place to rest and enjoy activities with friends and family surrounded by the calming forest.

8. Picture this

Put yourself, your family or carers in the picture and take a photo that captures a snapshot of time spent on a relaxing forest walk or roll.

9. Grass trees

Masses of grass trees are a feature of the walk. Scan the QR code for more information.

10. Wren's Rest

This patch of grassy woodland is inside the final loop of the walk. The seat here is a great place to sit and listen or watch for small birds such as wrens, fantails and robins.

11. The return point

You can travel further up the path another 650 metres if you wish. The track gets a bit steeper, rougher and narrower. It is not suitable for wheelchairs.

12. A walk or roll for all ages

The walk is on a gentle slope. It loops up and back. Young and old can manage the walk.


Features

Picnic spot Picnic spot
Seating available Seating available
Pram friendly Pram friendly
Nature trail Nature trail
Lake, creek, river Lake, creek, river
Accessible walk Accessible walk