A RARE chance to reimagine Woowookarung Park is starting to open up innovative ways for Ballarat people to enjoy nature.
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The city’s mountain bikers, runners and fossickers have led an active approach in working through what Parks Victoria’s draft strategic plan could mean for their pursuits.
Parks Victoria Ballarat chief ranger Siobhan Rogan said the draft plan also aimed to challenge the community in thinking what could be possible, from horse-riding to star-gazing and visitor-friendly spaces – and what this could mean for the area.
“This is a big picture look at where we want to be. We’re looking for innovation and people can help us plan for it,” Ms Rogan said. “This park is unique in being so community driven in the past. There already is a real community spirit to it and we want to continue maintaining and reflecting it.
“We’re pretty sure in this, the innovation will leap out.”
Plans for the state’s first dementia-friendly sensory bush trail is taking shape as a possibility to include in the 641-hectare park, created in Ballarat’s east in 2016.
Parks Victoria is encouraging people from all backgrounds and interests to have their say on how they could enjoy Woowookarung space via the Engage Victoria website. There is also an open community information session at Pax Hill Scout Camp on Wednesday afternoon.
Ms Rogan said Parks Victoria had undertaken extensive consultation with key interest groups, including Wadawarrung elder Uncle Bryon Powell who has been passionate about what the park could mean for the whole community.
But there was still plenty of room for new ideas or concepts.
Ms Rogan said people appreciated Ballarat’s population was growing, and it was important the plan work to best accommodate user needs and future potential while still feeling like you were in a forest.
“The challenges are environmental. A strong focus for us is heritage and protection, providing areas of sanctuary and respecting corridors for plants and animals to move,” Ms Rogan said. “This is an overarching vision for the next 15 to 20 years...now it’s about going out and checking we’ve got it right.”
Ms Rogan said at its core, the plan was about creating a healthy park with opportunities for people to get active and healthy in nature.