VISITORS with a spring in their step are being invited to take a walk among “the rare and wonderful” in Braeside Park.
The Friends of Braeside Park community group is hosting a spring walk through the area usually closed to the public for conservation reasons.
“Spring is definitely the best time to visit this very special heathland,” Parks Victoria ranger and team leader Des Lucas said.
“The Wedding Bush is in full magnificent flower at the moment, along with the Common Heath, Victoria’s Floral Emblem. There are also some very special trees, like the six rare Snow Gums and an 800-year-old Red Gum.”
The Friends help keep the heathland healthy through their work at the nursery where they propagate native seedlings for revegetation projects in the park.
Friends member Bev Bancroft says some native species like Wedding Bush are very difficult to propagate.
“That’s because its seeds do better after they have passed through a bird’s digestive system, and it can take up to 18 months for them to germinate. Seed collection, timing of planting, soil quality and sometimes just pure luck is required to produce a healthy native seedling.”
Walkers will meet at the park Visitor Centre at 1pm on Sunday 15 October and after around two hours walking, will relax and recover with afternoon tea at 3.30pm.
Sturdy footwear should be worn and a camera and binoculars will help walkers enjoy the spring walk through Braeside Park.
Call the Friends of Braeside Park on 9551 4578 after 4pm about the walk.
See parkweb.vic.gov.au or call 13 19 63 for further details.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 11 October 2017
