During 2022, the Friends of Maroondah Reservoir Park group has undertaken some great works, thanks to the support of local businesses and the efforts put in by volunteers.
At the beginning of the year the group, with the support of Bunnings and Badger Creek and District Men’s Shed, restored the sundial, a generous donation of plants from Bunnings, and Redwoods donated from a local nursery saw numerous planting days.
Over 650 hours from the volunteers also contributed to returning the overgrown grassland between rose steps and the dam wall to a useable area and the reinstatement of a beautiful 3-tiered garden bed.
The group’s next major project is underway with works to rejuvenate the rose steps in the pipeline.
“Rose steps is an iconic location within Maroondah Reservoir Park and the completion of the initial stage of works is expected to generate considerable local interest in the volunteer activities of the group and Parks Victoria,” group coordinator April Meredith said.
Friends of Maroondah Reservoir Park has received a grant of $500 from Yarra Ranges Council to repair and replace the irrigation equipment throughout rose steps.
“We acknowledge the generous support of Yarra Ranges Council with their funding of this project,” Ms Meredith said.
This is only a small component of the works that will be delivered over the next 12 months.
The project will include the removal of the dead and dying Cypress trees, soil remediation works and planting of 100 new standard roses in the garden beds.
“As the area is heritage listed, we require a permit from Parks Victoria to undertake the works. There has been community consultation and the feedback for the proposed works has been positive as the community are looking forward to having the roses reinstated and further damage the pines roots have caused the stonework prevented through removing the trees.”
To date, the inclement weather has stalled the preparation works however, the group is positive that the rose steps garden beds will be restored to their former beauty in time for spring 2023.
