A massive new urban park will snake across Melbourne's east, bringing families and communities opening up the equivalent of 18 MCGs with wide open spaces and trails connecting suburbs together.
Member for Glen Waverley John Mullahy representing the Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos today announced the construction starting of the new ngarrak nakorang wilam park running from Forest Hill, through Vermont and connecting to the Dandenong trail.
The new park will include a 3.5km shared-use walking and cycling trail, toilet block, and open recreational space for visitors to enjoy all year round.
The shared-use trail will run the entire length of the park and will feature seating, drinking fountains, lighting, and signage at key locations to support cyclists, runners, and walkers along the route.
Dedicated activity spaces along the trail will include play equipment, picnic tables, shelters, barbecues, and accessible toilets. Construction began this week and is expected to finish mid-2026.
The 'ngarrak nakorang wilam' name means 'Mountain Meeting Place' and was chosen by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. The name celebrates Wurundjeri Traditional Owner connections to Country and vividly expresses how parks bring people together.
The park was designed in consultation with local community to make sure it meets the needs of the community and has the right amenities in the right location.
A comprehensive vegetation strategy will also enhance the area's biodiversity, with new plantings providing habitat for local wildlife including gang-gang cockatoos, kookaburras, and echidnas.
The strategy also includes weed control and habitat improvements like nesting boxes to improve the area's local wild life and environment.
The Labor Government is investing $10.5 million to the creation of the new park on the previously underutilised 35ha tract of land known locally as the Healesville Freeway Reserve.
For more information visit parks.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos
"The creation of ngarrak nakorang wilam park will open up the equivalent of 18 MCGs of parkland to the public, making it easier for locals and visitors to access a massive, beautiful open space."
"Not only will the park become a place for people to come together and enjoy the great outdoors, the improved biodiversity will create an important habitat corridor for all manner of birds, mammals and reptiles."
As stated by Member for Glen Waverley John Mullahy
"The new facilities, walking trails and green space at ngarrak nakorang wilam park will transform how our community connects with nature and spends time together outdoors."
