Park users and interested groups and individuals can have their input into its use, management and development from now until late March.

Councillor Judy Verlin said a range of community activities were planned as part of the Victoria Park Community Visioning Project.

“Nobody should feel excluded from the process,” Cr Verlin said.

“I’m saying to the community, ‘you tell us what you want’.”

She said it would kick off with a discussion paper and user group meetings next month.

A councillor forum will also be held and an online survey will be posted on council’s website.

Walk and talk sessions with key stakeholders, activities with school groups and questionnaires will also be used.

Sykes Consulting – who has done similar work at Albert Park – is helping council’s public spaces and environment team conduct the research.

“Some user groups may say don’t touch us, we’re perfectly happy with how it is now while others might say they want some improvements.”

The $80,000 visioning project was approved by Ballarat City Council last May.

It will look at the future of the 130-hectare park – renowned for its military history – over the next 25 years.

Cr Verlin said Victoria Park would become Ballarat’s green heart as the Ballarat West Growth Area Plan developed.

It was the site of Victoria’s first Arbor Day planting in 1890 and is now one of the best examples of a large, European-style parkland in Australia. During WWII, it was used as a military and was also the site of car rallies and motorcycle racing events from the 1940s to the 1960s.