Central Gardens Nature Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Central Gardens Nature Reserve |
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The artificial waterfall at the boardwalk area
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| Location | Cumberland Highway and Merrylands Road, Merrylands, Cumberland Council, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Area | 12 hectares (30 acres) |
| Operated by | Cumberland Council |
| Open | 7:30am to 5pm |
| Status | Open all year |
| Facilities |
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The Central Gardens Nature Reserve, often just called Central Gardens, is a special protected park in the western part of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's a mix of a park, a garden, and a place for animals and wildlife. The park opened in 1976 and covers about 12 hectares (that's like 30 football fields!). It's located in the suburb of Merrylands and is looked after by the Cumberland Council.
Central Gardens is really important for the area. Lots of people visit it, even from outside the local area. The park has a special bushland area with old trees and plants, which is about 3.5 hectares big.
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Discovering Central Gardens' Past
The land where Central Gardens now sits was once used for digging up clay and making bricks in the 1970s. After that, people started designing the park. They built the tennis courts and planted big grassy areas.
The park officially opened on April 12, 1976. A special guest, The Hon Tom Uren, helped open it. He was a very important politician at the time, serving as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Sadly, a big storm in February 2002 caused many trees in the park to fall down. In 1993, a cool boardwalk and deck were built. This made it easier for people in wheelchairs to get close to the main lake.
Exploring the Park's Landscape
Central Gardens is located in Merrylands, between Merrylands Road, Paton Street, and the Cumberland Highway. The park has two main types of land. The northern part gently slopes down towards the lakes in the middle of the park. The southern part, past the lakes, is mostly flat.
Water is pumped from the main lake to an area near the Cumberland Highway. The lake's water quality isn't always the best. This is because of things like dirt washing in from nearby areas and the water being shallow. Also, it can be hard to fill the lakes during dry times.
Plants and Trees of Central Gardens
The plants in Central Gardens are a mix of native Australian plants and trees that have been planted there. The most important area of native plants is called Central Gardens Woodland. It's in the northwest corner of the park, next to the Cumberland Highway. This woodland area is special because it's one of the few remaining patches of its kind in the region.
You can find many interesting plant species here. Some native plants include Bursaria spinosa (Blackthorn), Lomandra filiformis, Grey Box, Eucalyptus crebra (Narrow-leafed Ironbark), and Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum). You might also see Dillwynia juniperina (Prickly Parrot-pea) and Themeda australis. Some non-native trees in the park are Casuarina glauca (Swamp Oak), Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm), and Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum).
Animals Living in the Park
Central Gardens is home to many different animals! You can see kangaroos and wallabies, emus, and wombats. There are also many birds like Australian white ibis, cockatoos, and cockatiels.
In the ponds, you might spot Carp fish and different kinds of ducks. These include the Pacific black duck, black swan, Emden goose, dusky moorhen, and the Australian wood duck. The tall trees in the park are very important. They provide a home for many different bird species.
Fun Things to Do at Central Gardens
Central Gardens has lots of cool features for visitors. You can walk along natural bushland tracks or use the boardwalk. There's a kiosk if you need a snack, an amphitheatre for shows, and pretty fountains. The park also has a system of ornamental lakes.
You'll find special enclosures for birds and other animals, like an aviary. For sports, there are tennis courts and big open fields. Central Gardens is a popular spot for wedding photos and company picnics. You can even book special areas like Yarrabee and Pinaroo for large family or company gatherings. These areas have things like hot water, sinks, toilets, BBQs, picnic tables, and lots of shady trees. Smooth concrete paths wind all through the park.
The lakes have water jets that help keep the water healthy. They also look and sound really cool! A big highlight of the park is the exposed sandstone rock face. This was formed when the site was used for digging clay. Part of this cliff is now used for a large, artificial waterfall, which is a famous sight in the park.
Who Visits Central Gardens?
A survey from 1989 showed that most people who visited the park loved picnicking and having barbecues (62%). Relaxing was also a very popular activity (55%). Most visitors (83%) arrived by car, while 15% walked to the park. The busiest times were usually between 12 noon and 2 pm. The survey also found that more than half of the park users (56.7%) did not live in the Cumberland local government area. This shows how popular the park is with people from all over!
How to Visit Central Gardens
It's free to enter Central Gardens! If you want to use the tennis courts, you need to book them through Cumberland Council. The park is also wheelchair accessible, so everyone can enjoy it.
Some areas are restricted, like the fenced woodland and the animal enclosures. The park is closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.
Images for kids
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The aviary cage
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The fauna reserve with wallabies
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Grass and wood area
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The park's playground
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Moorhens in a lake
