Lillydale Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lillydale Lake |
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 Lillydale Lake
Location in Melbourne
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| Location | Lilydale, Victoria |
| Coordinates | 37°45′57″S 145°21′11″E / 37.76583°S 145.35306°E |
| Lake type | artificial lake |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 28 ha (69 acres) |
| Average depth | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
Lillydale Lake is a special place in Lilydale, Melbourne, Australia. It's an artificial lake (meaning it was made by people) and a wetlands area. The name "Lillydale" keeps the original spelling from the old Lillydale Shire.
The park around the lake is huge, covering more than 100 hectares. It has lots of fun things to do! The lake itself is 28 hectares big, with a long wall (called a dam wall) that is 440 metres long. You can still see the old ruins of Cashin's flour mill from the 1850s near the dam wall.
Around the lake, there are over 10 kilometres of paths for walking, running, or cycling. You'll also find a community room, a giant playground, toilets, barbecues, and picnic spots. There's even a ramp to launch boats, but only for boats without motors. Plus, there are two special areas where dogs can run around without a leash.
History of Lillydale Lake
The area where Lillydale Lake is now used to be low-lying. This meant that parts of Lilydale often flooded when the Olinda Creek overflowed.
Back in 1853, a surveyor named James Blackburn thought this spot would be good for collecting water. However, the Yan Yean Reservoir was built instead.
Plans for a Park and Flood Control
In 1969, the local council suggested making a 65-hectare park here. Several other ideas for a park came up over the years. But, they never happened because there wasn't enough money.
Then, in September 1984, there were big floods. This led to a new idea: build a lake! The lake would help stop future floods and also give people a great place to relax and have fun.
Building and Opening the Lake
Work on Lillydale Lake started in 1988. It took about two years to build and was finished in June 1990. The lake officially opened to the public on July 7, 1990.
Today, many local people enjoy walking, running, or cycling around the lake. It's a popular spot for staying active and enjoying nature.
