The 100 Acres Flora And Fauna Reserve, Park Orchards VIC 3114
Historic Walks Through Doncaster - Templestowe ParksThe 100 Acres
The park is a block of natural bushland set aside for the appreciation of the natural habitat. The 100 acres contains flora and fauna that was native to the area before the intrusion of settlers.
At the turn of the century, Tom Petty, Doncaster's most enterprising orchardist, purchased a large area at Park Orchards and cleared the land for orchards. One of the men who worked for Tom Petty was his nephew, Jim Mitchell. Mitchell bought a hundred acre block north of Tom's land and built a house. He planted two small orchards and also grew berries. To supply water for his crops and his horses Jim dug several dams.
The area had been part of a large grazing run of eight square miles and the original bushland has remained on most of the park land. In the 1970's, the block was to be subdivided for housing but the community of Park Orchards and the Rate Payers Association persuaded the council to purchase the land so that a section of natural bush could be preserved.
The Park has been retained in its natural form. A cleared path for horse riding runs around the perimeter and across the centre are walking tracks and mime trails winding through the trees. At the main entrances, a plan shows the paths and areas of interest. Names, in keeping with the land, identify the tracks and places. There is the Wild Cherry track, the Swamp Gum, the Wattle, Dog Wood, and Candle Bark trail and the Tadpole Dam, Green Dam and Brown Dam.
In this small area of bushland there is a great variety of flora growing. There are eleven species of eucalypts, each growing in the places most suitable for the species. Some prefer a sheltered slope, others a sunny site. Beneath the trees, the understory provides shelter for wildlife and, on the bush floor litter, many insects and small animals live, and in the spring wild flowers grow. Looking at the bush there is a continuous pattern of colours and textures in the leaves and branches.
The topography of the land is one of the advantages of the site for the park is mainly surrounded by high land with trails that go through valleys in the centre. On walking into this area we go back in time, for sounds of civilisation disappear and all that can be heard are the bird calls and an occasional movement in the scrub. This could be land in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne 200 years ago- before white settlers arrived . In this peaceful park, although in the centre of a suburb, it is interesting to listen and count how many different bird calls can be counted.
Remnants of the old orchards can be seen as waves on the land now overgrown and the berry gardens as ridges, the homestead has gone. Discreet sign boards give interesting information and arrows point to a tour around the tracks.
Many people walk around the park for exercise and a walk covering most paths could take up to an hour. To explore the whole area looking at the plants would be a refreshing morning or afternoon.
The 100 Acres can be entered from Knees Road, Arundal Road or Domeny Reserve. There are no facilities, for the 100 Acres is kept as a natural bush park for the enjoyment of nature but Domeny Reserve is adjacent to the 100 Acres.
Irvine Green writing in 1993 12 DTHS Newsletter
100 Acres Reserve
Melway Ref: 35 F9-F10Suburb: Park Orchards
Precinct: 100 Acres
Catchment: Regional
Major Functions: Flora/fauna, informal recreation
100 Acres Reserve is 41 hectares (102 Acres) in size and classified as a Reserve of Regional significance, forming part of One Hundred Acres, Biosite 14. The western third of the Reserve is in an ecological condition that is rarely rivalled in the Melbourne Region, even in National Parks, and is considered very high priority in Council’s Healthy Habitats Bushland Management Strategy 2012.
The Reserve is managed primarily for biodiversity conservation whilst also providing a range of recreation opportunities in a natural setting, including walking, jogging, dog walking, horse riding, cycling and nature appreciation. The 100 Acres Friends Group has significantly contributed to the ongoing management of the Reserve and has worked closely with Council's Bushland Crew over many years. A review of The 100 Acres Reserve Management Plan (1996) was completed in 2010 and actions to be implemented include continuing to improve the Reserve’s biodiversity, weed and pest control programs, protection of rare or threatened flora species, path upgrades, signage and changes to dog controls in high conservation areas.
The main Reserve entrance is from Knees Road and located within Domeney Reserve. Other entrances are Arundel Road, Berringa Road, Wirth Road and three local streets to the north. Improved connection to the yet to be developed Yanggai Barring Linear Park to the north-east is a longer term action.
https://www.yoursaymanningham.com.au/3471/documents/6603 July2019
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