Yellagonga Regional Park facts for kids
Yellagonga Regional Park is a special place in Perth, Western Australia. It's located in the City of Wanneroo and the City of Joondalup. The park was created in 1989 by the Western Australian government. It protects a large area of land, about 1400 hectares (that's like 3,460 football fields!). This includes 550 hectares (about 1,360 football fields) of important wetlands. These wetlands feature beautiful lakes like Lake Joondalup and Lake Goollelal.
The park is home to old buildings like Perry's Cottage and Cockman House. You can also find fun spots like Neil Hawkins Park here. The park is named after Yellagonga, who was a leader of the local Mooro people long ago.
Park History
Much of the land that makes up Yellagonga Regional Park was set aside in 1975. The park officially received its name, Yellagonga Regional Park, in 1990. This was done to honor Yellagonga, an important Whadjuk Noongar leader during the time European settlers arrived.
For local Aboriginal people, this area is very special. It is part of their "Dreaming" stories, which are ancient tales about how the world was created. The park also holds important history about how the City of Wanneroo grew over time.
Nature and Wildlife
Yellagonga Regional Park has a unique landscape. It features high, sloping sand dunes. Between these dunes are lower, wet areas called swales, which hold the park's lakes and wetlands. The western side of the park is quite steep. There's a central flat area that can be up to 50 meters (about 164 feet) high. The eastern and southern parts of the park gently slope towards Lake Goollelal and Walluburnup Swamp.
In 1996, experts found 217 different types of plants in the park. This included 103 types of plants that were brought in from other places. While the park doesn't have any plants listed as "Declared Rare Flora," it does have some special ones. These include plants like Jacksonia sericea and Conostylis bracteata.
More than 120 different kinds of birds have been seen in the park. About 18 of these bird species even use the park to build their nests and raise their young. Many of the birds recorded here are migratory, meaning they travel long distances and are protected by international agreements. Three bird species found in the park are especially protected. These are the Carnaby's cockatoo, the Australasian bittern, and the peregrine falcon.
Humans have had a big impact on some parts of Yellagonga Regional Park. Many areas were once used for farming. These areas are still being fixed up and returned to their natural state. Some grassy park areas have allowed strong, non-native grass types to spread into natural areas. Weeds are also a problem. Building roads, power lines, and drainage systems has also changed the natural landscape. Erosion, which is when soil washes away, is also an issue in some spots. This happens because people create paths in places where they shouldn't, like on steep slopes.
Historical Places and Trails
Yellagonga Regional Park is home to three important historical sites. These places are listed on the Western Australian Heritage Register. They are Perry's Paddock, Cockman House, and Luisini Winery. Also, Indigenous Australians have made special claims on some areas of the park due to their historical connection to the land.
Perry's Paddock is a registered heritage site. It's important because it was the location of the very first land grant in Wanneroo back in 1838. In the 1920s, fun "Picnic Race Days" were held here with horses. Perry's Cottage was built around 1850. It's a great example of an English-style building that was changed to fit the local conditions. The cottage was restored in 2012, making it look new again.
The original Wanneroo Primary School building used to be at Perry's Paddock. It was moved there in 1992 as part of a plan for a historical village that didn't happen. In 2007, the City of Wanneroo decided to move the school building again to Neville Park. This was because of worries about bushfires at Yellagonga Regional Park. The move was finished on March 10, 2009.
Cockman House is a home built for a settler named James Cockman around 1870. It is the oldest house in Wanneroo. Luisini Winery, located on Lakeway Drive in Kingsley, was built in 1929.
There are two special heritage trails inside Yellagonga Regional Park. These are the Lake Joondalup Trail and the Yaberoo-Budjara Heritage Trail. The Lake Joondalup Trail helps you explore how Wanneroo grew over time. The Yaberoo-Budjara Trail goes between Lake Joondalup and Yanchep National Park. This trail shows areas that are important to both Indigenous Australians and European settlers.
Park Future
There have been ideas for new projects and improvements in Yellagonga Regional Park. In 2007, the City of Joondalup and the City of Wanneroo looked into building an environment center in the park. This center would help people learn about nature. They suggested placing it at Lot 1 Lakeside Drive, Joondalup, or Scenic Drive, Wanneroo. In March 2008, the City of Joondalup asked for more discussions and studies. They especially wanted to know how to pay for building and running the center and its education programs.
The National Trust of Australia has suggested making Luisini Winery into a museum. This museum would teach about old winemaking and how to enjoy wine. Their idea also includes a restaurant, an environment center, and a car park. The City of Joondalup approved this plan on March 27, 2007.
In September 2008, the Department of Environment and Conservation gave money to the park. This money was for building roads, a shelter, and paths for bikes and people walking.
