Fairbairn Park

Hi All,

Welcome to Fairbairn Park beside the beautiful Maribyrnong River. As you can see by the map below, it looks more like a golf course, and a bad one at that, without the greens and tees; although it does have a golf course next door. Fairbairn Park, or should I say playing fields, is a flat expanse of what could be termed grass, or at least mown green vegetation.

 

The area is mostly used as playing fields for various sports, with a walking/cycling track along the river bank.  The expanse of grass is interrupted periodically by small clumps and lines of trees (think golf) that seem to be placed haphazardly between the fields.

   

A view across the fields showing very limited vegetation (left).

Does the picture on the right remind you of anything - golf anyone?

So, what is wrong with a series of playing fields where we can do a little exercise, with strategically placed vegetative enclaves for flora and fauna to inhabit? These enclaves are so small that I doubt it would accommodate a family of rats, as they are separated by expanses of open ground. Maybe it would be easier to remove the vegetation and save the mowing crew the trouble of going around them...

  

Well guess what, it may be happening as I blog. The chainsaws and herbicides are at work. Notice the orange lump behind the chair (left), the remnants of the former inhabitants, a pile of wood chips, framed nicely by the brown stain of Mr. Herbicide.

Fairbairn Park may be worth a visit if you have a big dog or want to kick a ball, possibly go for a walk along the river bank, but be warned, it can get a bit windy as the old palms can pay testament too. I won't be going back any time soon.

So till next time Happy Parking.

Weed in the Lane!

A local lane,

This a little lane not far from where I live, well traversed by the residents walking the dogs to the parks, going to and from work, and the local children playing around.

This lane is no different to others around generally. It still retains the bluestone cobblestones that many a night cart has trundled, new roller doors for car access along with innumerable fence types in different states of repair.

One of the highlights is the vegetable patch in a backyard with pumpkins growing over the fence. I bet there is a wonderful assortment of delicious and healthy crops behind. This makes me want to go and grow my own, if I had the room and possibly a greener thumb. City gardening at its best.

Apart from the pumpkin, there are few other plants, with the exception of the creepers and vines along the fences extending into the trees of adjacent yards; two vines of note being Anredera cordifolia and Ipomoea indica.

Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia) is also known as potato vine or lambs tail vine. It is a vigorous climber which is very heavy on the tree canopy and can cause smaller trees to collapse. It is a vigorous climber with heart shaped leaves and potato like aerial tubers along its stems, from which it reproduces. Note: Anredera cordifolia is a declared noxious weed in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, and prohibited from sale in Queensland and New South Wales. A good, non-invasive, native alternative to madeira vine is native wisteria (Milletia megasperma).

Blue morning glory (Ipomoea indica) is a perennial climber. The thick, smothering growth of this weed is a common sight on many fences, roadsides and forest edges. This vigorous climbing allows it to colonise the highest branches of trees, as well as forming a thick mat at ground level, smothering the current vegetation. It has been known to live for 25 or more years, but is easier to eradicate than Anredera cordifolia.  Note: Ipomoea indica is a declared noxious weed in New South Wales and Western Australia and prohibited from sale in New South Wales.

So please do not grow these plants, they may look nice and green with pretty flowers growing over the back fence, but they can spread rapidly and are very hard to eradicate if established. So get on the net (sites listed below), look them up and see if we, in Victoria, can avoid repeating the problems they created elsewhere.

Happy hunting, I know you want to.

We can do it together!!!!!

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au

http://awsassets.wwf.org.au

Hard copy of above -

Groves, R.H., Boden, R. & Lonsdale, W.M. 2005, 'Jumping the Garden Fence: Invasive Garden Plants in Australia and their environmental and agricultural impacts', CSIRO report prepared for WWF-Australia, WWF-Australia, Sydney.

Today is Victory Day, that is Victory Park Day.


Victory Park, cnr Epsom Rd and Langs Rd, Ascot Vale. This is a large park surrounded by the Ascot Vale Leisure Sports and Fitness Centre (parking, toilet and kiosk facilities available) the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds and Ascot Vale West Primary School.

Victory Park has everything you will need to have a good day out.

Lots of trees to sit under including Golden Elm (Ulmus glabra 'Letescens'), Chinese Elm (ulmus procera), Plane Trees (Plantanus xacerifolia), Fig trees (Ficus macrophylla), Eucalyptus (various ages) and a lonely Himalayan Ceder (Cedrus deodara).

There is a recently constructed undercover sitting area to compliment the out door tables near the play area with on site BBQ's available.

A huge wooden adventure playground with an enormous array of slides, walkways, multiple towers, sandpit, suspended platforms and swings will keep the young at heart on the go.

What really makes Victory Park different to the others so far is the planting of forbs and small shrubs along the boundary with the school (may be inside the school grounds, but does not seem to be inside the school fenced area). This planting has only been completed recently and will only get better with age.

  

There seems only one last thing to mention and that is the Cenotaph with its sunken rotunda (loads of seating). Victory Park would be an excellent choice for a lunch with family and friends on ANZAC or Armistice Day, but why be limited to two days a year when everything you need to enjoy the outdoors is in one place.

So go for a look, pack the BBQ/picnic gear or just get takeaway, you will not be disappointed.  

Now onto Walter Street Reserve, Ascot Vale.

Walter St. is very popular with the local residents and will become busier as the new Ascot Chase development is completed (townhouse development).

There is a large oval at the heart of the reserve that is home to many cricket and football teams. If you are looking for some quite time, best to stay away at weekends when the junior footy is on. It draws a large crowd of family, friends and supporters. Recently installed light towers will make this a better place for the playing of sport.

For those wishing to run some laps around the oval late afternoon seems popular, as it does with dog walkers. Please remember this is a designated dogs on lead park and is patrolled by council officers. Doggy bags are provided at the main entrance for your convenience.

The reserve is primarily designed for sport, although there is an array of trees around the extreme perimeter to sit under with comfort if you wish. The main tree types are Eucalyptus, Melaleucas with some Pepperinas scattered around. The most notable tree is the large palm at the rear, which is popular with birds when fruiting. They can be quite boisterous.

There is also a clubhouse available for hire with a playground beside.

Access is good with parking available in Walter St. The major downfall would be from the lack of refuse receptacle's away from the clubhouse, so please be kind to the environment and dispose of rubbish responsibly.

Walter St. screams ball sports and exercise, so go and have a visit and enjoy stretching the legs.

Hi everyone, today we are going to visit Rothwell Park in the municipality of Moonee Valley.

The Rothwell St. entrance has a Betula pendula (Silver Birch) - show the kids the arrow shaped leaves.

This park is situated between Rothwell St. and The Crescent and is adjacent to the Ascot Vale Railway Station. Access to the park can be made from either street and parking is available kerbside or at the railway station (Milton St.).

Rothwell Park has a central walkway between the streets leading to the railway station. This pathway is popular with commuters as well as those wishing to utilise the rail underpass. As it is adjacent to the station it is very popular in the afternoon when commuters are returning home. Many people with children of all ages can be seen using the park while awaiting the return of friends and family from their day out.

The central path is constructed of crushed gravel but is easily negotiated be bicycles and prams. Tthe only downfall for access may for those with mobility aids accessing the play ground as there is no ramp access, and the step up is about 250mm. I did see that some bark chips from the playground has been arranged to form a temporary ramp, but I don't think that this was intended for disabled access, more likely as a small bike jump.

On finer days the playground can seem to be at bursting point with smaller children enjoying the playground, while the adults chat and sit on the abundance of seat in close proximity.

Beside having a large play area there is a shelter with seats and a table near the Rothwell St. end of the park for those days that are not so fine. Maybe another one would be handy closer to the station near the grassed area that is popular for afternoon ball games.

Mum and baby waiting for an afternoon arrival (picture taken with permission).There is also numerous Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) - look for the lilac flowers in late spring.

Grassed area opposite Ascot Vale Station. Great for a game of footy. During the cooler months the London Plane Trees (Platanus x acerifolia) will drop their leaves as seen all over the city - don't let the leaves put you off visiting. You know the ones, they look a bit like the Canadian Maple.

This seat at the centre of the park is popular with the older generation as it offers good shade on warmer days with excellent access and is not directly on the main path, although it is still very close. The Pepperina tree (Schinus molle) is trimmed to provide shade but not be intrusive while allowing a good view all round. A note to those with allergies is that this tree may cause irritation when flowering, late spring to early summer.

Another Pepperina tree with a border of Agapanthus praecox - these will look wonderful when they flower with their large flower spikes topped with a wonderful purple inflorescence (early spring to autumn).

There is a convenient water bubbler near the central path, good for joggers and cyclist, along with a refuse bin and a bag stand for those who like to walk their dogs in the area.

The park is well maintained year round, although there is graffiti from time to time (nothing offensive seen) with good visibility throughout the area. The seating arrangements are scattered around the park so you should be able to get a place to rest if need be. This would be a great place to visit on those long twilight afternoons, let the kids run wild, take a picnic dinner, or maybe even lobby the council for a gas/electric public use BBQ (coin operated or free).

This is a great little park with good amenities that is well worth a visit. Stay tuned as I go from park to park and give my impressions of what is there, what can be improved and so on. Feel free to send suggestions, comments or critique, after all this is all about getting out and about to see the neighbourhood and interact with others.

Hi Everyone,

The idea behind this blog is to introduce locals and visitors to the parks and lanes of Ascot Vale Vic. 3032. Please feel free to reply with your ideas about areas you would like to see covered, any questions you may have and whether the information provided is of help or interest to you.

So, come along for the ride and discover the area where I live and play.

I have decided to start close to home with the Roseberry Reserve (Roseberry St. Ascot Vale).

This quaint little place of play and relaxation is close to Union Rd. and Epsom Rd. Although small, it offers the visitor a place to relax and for the children to play. There is parking available at the front with a ramp that can be used for pram and disabled access, but is only constructed of crushed gravel and may be a little rough. The grass is maintained but has a few bare patches, while the trees are mainly small Jacaranda's, so shade is limited.

There is also a Birch and Acacia at the rear with a planting of Gazania between. The Gazania has a furry texture, unlike most other plants, and will be of interest to children.

This little reserve is regularly used by local residents with children and small dogs. The reserve is securely fenced on two sides, with the third fronting Roseberry St. As you can see in the photos, the play equipment is modern with a variety of activities to entice multiple age groups.

Graffiti is non existent and rubbish is scarce although the rear corner periodically is the victim of illegal dumping.

This reserve is best visited by younger children, under supervision, as it is not fully fenced. There is only a small grass area so ball games and bike riding opportunities are limited.

All in all this reserve will only get better with time. As the Jacaranda's grow it will make an ideal spot to relax with a picnic on a blanket and watch the little ones play in a safe and stimulating environment.

Better access and some seating will only improve this reserve. The laughter and shrieks of children at play is a welcome sound every time I pass. So go check it out, take the kids or the whole family and enjoy a little peace of paradise in the 'burbs. Everyone should indulge themselves and look, listen and get in touch with the area they live. A stimulating place to visit and should be on one and alls' list this week.

Please remember to supervise children at all times and have fun.

More to come, from a place in Ascot Vale near you.

Argyle..