Koomba Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Koomba Park |
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The southern vehicle entrance to Koomba Park
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| Type | Metropolitan Park |
| Location | Wantirna, Victoria, Australia |
| Area | 92 hectares (33 hectares open to public) |
| Created | December 1981 |
| Operated by | Parks Victoria and VicRoads |
| Status | Open all year |
Koomba Park is a large park located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. It's part of a group of parks called the Dandenong Valley Parklands. The park covers about 92 hectares, which is like 92 football fields! However, only 33 hectares are open for everyone to visit.
Koomba Park is surrounded by Dandenong Creek, Boronia Road, EastLink, Mountain Highway, and Burwood Highway. It is looked after by VicRoads and Parks Victoria. The park first opened in December 1981. Before it became a park, the land was used for grazing cattle and growing apples. Even today, some areas around the park are still used for grazing animals.
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Exploring Koomba Park's Nature
Koomba Park is a really important place for local wildlife. It acts like a special pathway for animals along Dandenong Creek.
Animals and Plants in the Park
The park has lots of riparian forest, which means forests along a river. It also has wetlands and swamps, which are wet, marshy areas. Some parts of the park have been replanted with native Australian plants.
You might spot many different animals here! Common mammals include various types of bats, possums, and even sugar gliders. If you enjoy watching birds, there's a special bird hide next to one of the ponds. From there, you can quietly observe many kinds of native birds. The park is also home to many native plant species, including some that are rare or endangered.
Water Features and Flood Zones
Koomba Park has several ponds and water bodies that were made by people. Because of its location near the creek, the park is in an "Urban Floodway Zone." This means it can sometimes get flooded, especially after heavy rain.
Paths and Trails for Adventure
Koomba Park is a great place for walking and cycling, with many paths to explore.
Cycle Paths for Riders
Two popular cycling paths, the Dandenong Creek Trail and the EastLink Trail, run through Koomba Park. They share a main concrete path that goes from north to south. These trails split off near the southern car park.
Originally, all the trails were made of gravel. But in 2007, the Dandenong Creek Trail was upgraded to a wide concrete path. This was part of the construction of EastLink. A new concrete path was also built, which is now part of the EastLink Trail.
The northern path from the park goes under Boronia Road and continues along the Dandenong Creek. The southern path (EastLink Trail) follows EastLink further south. The south-west path (Dandenong Creek Trail) crosses the Dandenong Creek and connects to Burwood Highway. This link was built as a raised boardwalk in 1997.
Koomba Park is also part of the Opperman Trails. These trails honor Sir Hubert Opperman, a famous cyclist. You'll find signs and information boards about him along the Lands End Trail in the park.
Walking Paths for Strollers
Besides the main cycle paths, there are also gravel paths just for walkers. These paths criss-cross through the park. While cyclists can use them, they are mainly designed for walking. Sometimes, these paths can be a bit bumpy or narrow due to plants growing over them or fallen trees. Visitors have also made some unofficial paths over time.
Park Facilities
Koomba Park has some useful facilities for visitors.
Parking and Entrances
There's a large car park at the southern end of the park, which is shared with Wantirna Reserve. You can get to it from a service road off Burwood Highway. There's also a smaller car park at the northern end, off Boronia Road.
Past and Present Amenities
In the past, the park had a picnic shelter and a toilet block. These were taken down in 2008. Electric barbecues were also removed at the same time.
You can find information boards at the north and south entrances for people walking into the park. There's also a drinking fountain where the Dandenong Creek Trail and EastLink Trail meet, so you can fill up your water bottle.
Wantirna Reserve Next Door
Right next to Koomba Park, at its southern end, is Wantirna Reserve. This reserve is managed by Knox City Council. It has a sports oval with a clubhouse and cricket nets, used for Australian rules football and cricket.
Wantirna Reserve also has the Wantirna Tennis Club, a scout hall, and a playground. All these areas can be reached by dirt roads with parking spots. The Victorian Jazz Archive is also located near the southern entrance to Koomba Park.
