By Tanya Steele
Melbourne nature lovers can rejoice as a major park space has re-opened for public use after being shut since August 2022.
The Silvan Reservoir Park is now newly refurbished and re-opened on Friday 24 May with a small ceremony to acknowledge the completion of upgrades to the park space.
Representatives from Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, The Gully Men’s Shed and to represent Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos, Monbulk Member Daniela De Martino celebrated the completion of the project and walked the grounds.
Silvan Reservoir Park is located on the traditional Country of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, and is well-loved for its vibrant birdlife, beautiful views, playground and picnic spots.
Parks Victoria Regional Director of the Melbourne Region Sofie De Lesantis said the park was the best It’s looked in a very long time.
“It’s ready for the community and we look forward to spending time in the park with you,” she said.
Parks Victoria Senior Project Manager Matt Weston said that work was initially set back by complications with septic works on the site, but finishing up the final project was good.
“Works have included the toilet block, the car park upgrade, the work by the Men’s shed and all the work the local team have done on the ground,” he said.
The park was closed in late 2022 due to a failing septic system at the toilets in the lower carpark and Ms De Martino said she was thrilled that they’ve been able to deliver these much-needed upgrades.
“Silvan Reservoir Park can re-open to the community and the locals can get outdoors and benefit from time spent in nature,” she said.
New barbecue facilities await the general public and a real highlight of the new space is a completely new and accessible toilet block now situated much closer to the playground area.
“I’m particularly happy about is the fact that they’re DDA compliant – people with accessibility needs can get to them easily,” Ms De Martino said.
The toilet block will also recycle its wastewater to water the expansive grassed areas of the reservoir picnic grounds.
The Gully Men’s Shed has also donated their time and effort to both refurbishing and building new park benches for the space, increasing the amount of tables and benches for the the public to access.
Park Victoria Ranger Linda Bryant said working with the Men’s Shed was a delight.
“Any bit of work we offer them they just take it on because they just love creating and learning new skills and contributing,” she said.
“They’re just masters at that craft and just do such a great job.”
With The Gully Men’s shed working on the park benches the Parks Victoria Rangers went to work on the grounds, taking advantage of the extended closure to do a lot of pruning maintenance.
“We took the opportunity to do a lot of pruning and uplifed all the trees,” Ms Bryant said.
The Silvan Reservoir refurbishment forms part of the urban parks active wellbeing program, which is a project funded by the Victorian Government, to deliver upgrades to 21 parks across Melbourne.
“We’re investing in our urban parks spanning from Point Cook to the Mornington Peninsula. These upgrades at Silvan Reservoir Park mean that people can once again explore and experience this beautiful spot in the Dandenong Ranges,” Ms De Martino said.
Nearby in the Dandenong Ranges, the program has also delivered new barbecues, picnic tables, drinking fountains, shelter and a new playground at Ferntree Gully Picnic Area.
At Grants Picnic Ground on the edge of the Sherbrooke Forest, new barbecues, shelter, signage and accessible picnic tables have been built and installed.
The Silvan Reservoir awaits and is now open for the public to enjoy.
