By April Meredith
Spring is on it’s way and a local environmental group will celebrate the only way they know how at this time of year – by planting annuals.
Friends of Maroondah Reservoir Park will hold their Community Planting day at the Maroondah Reservoir Park on 2 September.
The intent of the day is to bring the community together to plant a variety of annuals in the garden beds that boarder the ‘Rose Steps’ and group president April Meredith said she is really proud of what the group has have achieved since the groups commencement in 2021,
“Both the work we have done in physically improving the gardens and maintenance at the park – but also establishing an incorporated charity organisation, raising funds and actively advocating to maximise the maintenance and preservation of the parks features,” she said.
More recently in 2022 the group commenced planning to undertake works to rejuvenate Rose Steps and restore the surrounding gardens by reinstating over 100 new roses of similar varieties to those planted in the 1950’s.
To ensure the future viability of the roses and to protect the historic stonework the remaining pencil pines on rose steps need removing.
Ms Meredith said that unfortunately there have been some delays in receiving the required permits to remove these pines.
“As a result the group have commenced soil preparation works and will plant annuals this year to ensure the steps look amazing over the spring and into the summer,” she said.
The Friends of Maroondah Reservoir Park is a volunteer charity organisation which have been actively working for the past few years to restore and maintain the historic features and gardens within the park.
The iconic ‘Rose Steps’ have been a popular attraction at Maroondah Reservoir Park for both locals and tourists alike since its completion in the 1950’s.
The steps were built from local stone and link the lower portions of the park with the walking paths crossing the dam wall. The historic features within the park, including the significant plants and stone work, are protected under heritage lists to ensure these features can be enjoyed for generations to come.
The group have obtained grants and donations from Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, Bunnings, Bendigo Bank, Yarra Ranges Council and a range of local businesses and Ms Meredith said that without their support the group couldn’t achieve what it does.
“We also get amazing community support, locals often reach out whilst the group are working in the park as well as interactions on social media. Everyone is really supportive of preserving and improving the park for both the enjoyment of locals and tourists alike,” she said.
The group always welcome new volunteers to the group and there are a variety of roles people can play.
“It’s not just about parks maintenance, there are also roles for fundraising, recording and sharing the history of the park or planning future works for the group to focus on,” Ms Meredith said.
”f you are interested in volunteering you can visit their website at https://friendsmaroondahre.wixsite.com/maroondahreservoir or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofMaroondahReservoirPark/
The upcoming community planting day will be on Saturday 2 September, from 9.30 onwards.
There will be a BBQ afterwards to thank everyone involved.
For catering purposes the would really appreciate if people who are planning on attending could please register either through our website, emailing friends.maroondahreservoir@gmail.com or phoning Ms Meredith on 0406 433 459
“The Maroondah Dam really is a community asset that deserves our time to ensure it will still be an amazing place into the future.” Ms Meredith said.
