Frog Hollow Researve Endeavour Hills Master Plan
Subscribe
Print
EmailThe Casey Image Strategy, November 2004, outlines a range of projects to progressively improve the image of Casey. Frog Hollow Reserve has been identified as one of the Landmark Image Projects and as a major open space network and multiuse parkland.
This large open space is centrally located in a well established residential area of the city and as such, it has the opportunity to provide linking pedestrian/cyclist movement between the suburbs of Endeavour Hills and Hallam, as well as providing for a much larger connection of movement and open space networks throughout the rest of the city.
The park is surrounded by residential properties along the North West boundary from the eastern corner at Hallam North Road and the southern end abutting the Monash Freeway.
Active recreation facilities currently present at the site include:
- Rugby - Endeavour Hills Rugby Union Football Club, one oval with two fields and one separate rugby field.
- Cricket - Hallam Kalara Park Cricket Club Inc and Lanka Lions Crick Club use the oval. Both grounds are at the Northern end of the Reserve
- Auskick - James Cook Auskick is also conducted on the oval in the winter months.
Other major considerations of the site include:
- Environmental - The friends of Frog Hollow reserve have a strong general interest in the management of the reserve and the welfare and subsequent environmental impact on this habitat and the home of local frog species in the reserve.
The key considerations in developing the Frog Hollow Reserve Master Plan have been: preservation and enhancement of an existing large environmental public open space; sustaining an established wetland environment with existing native fauna particularly the frogs; and enhancing existing formal recreation facilities.
The key elements of the Master Plan are:
- Recreational Facility Development. It has been identified that the junior cricket facilities need expansion at this site to cater for the demands of the local teams and their growth over the previous years. It is proposed that the existing southern rugby field be extended to allow a junior cricket oval to be accommodated for use by junior teams during the cricket season.
- Playground Improvements. It has been identified in the City of Casey Playground Strategy (2003) that a district level playground be provided at this site. This facility is proposed to be located at the eastern end on Council property along David Collins Drive. This will accommodate larger user numbers, provide a greater range of play activities for a larger range of age groups.
- Pedestrian Network. Further linking of the shared path network through to Hallam North Road is required as identified in the Casey Bicycle Strategy (1998). This is proposed to connect from the existing shared path on the western edge of the reserve and run north to Hallam North Road. A connection is proposed to complete the link to the existing pathways of the Eumemmerring Creek beneath the underpass. A proposed pedestrian connection runs east-west across the site from the sports pavilion to the southern end of Hallam North Road.
- Additional Parking. It is proposed to extend the existing parking at the sports pavilion to cater for the increased patronage of the current facilities. A new access and car park are proposed from Hallam North Road on the reserve for regional and eastern visitors to gain direct access to this large significant open space asset.
- Indigenous Vegetation. Frog Hollow is a significant environmental and landscape corridor along the southern fringe of Endeavour Hills. There is already large and substantial recently planted vegetation along its length, to maintain and improve this valued landscape indigenous replanting is required over time.
- Entry Feature Planting. To improve the main entrances and access points to the parklands, it is intended that these gateways will promote an identifiable address to the site for the local residents and visitors.
- Feature Fencing. The provision of rural style timber fencing throughout the parklands to enhance the character of the space and as required, to strategically restrict vehicular access to the passive open space areas of the reserve.
- Improve Walkway Landscaping. Improve landscape detail in selected areas along walkways. These nodal plantings will strengthen the existing character of the open space and create clearly defined links and directions of travel for the residents and users, to aid in the orientation and location of facilities and elements within these large parklands.
- Connecting small bridges and landings. To complete a desirable link to Gunns Road Reserve and Hall Road, a possible bridge or suitable boardwalk design would be required to gain access across the low lying wet areas.
It is intended that the landscape improvements will be undertaken in stages over the longer term as funding becomes available.
Frog Hollow Researve Endeavour Hills Master Plan