Park life: A day out at Edwardes Lake Park, Reservoir

What can you do there? 

The glow of afternoon sun over the water at Edwardes Lake Park cements it as a jewel in the crown of Melbourne’s northern suburbs. It just teams with life, with a vibrant mix of people picnicking around playgrounds while children scream joyfully on the massive slide or on the flying foxes.

The 28-hectare park is visited by more than 135,000 people a year and has two lovely playgrounds, a skatepark, barbecues with shaded seating, walking trails, exercise equipment, sports facilities and toilets.

The vocal birdlife swoop and swim as walkers and joggers make their way around on the shady trail. To find the park I weave my way past tennis courts and a bowling club, looking out over the beautifully maintained lawns and onto the water. It’s full of all the makings of an impressive little adventure, and spying an ice-cream truck in the distance I know exactly where I’ll be finishing my journey.

Who will you find there?

Walking through the park, I am happy to see the stunning diversity of people and experiences it holds. Laughter rings from groups of women in brightly coloured head scarves sitting together by the barbecues as their children dart through the playground. There are young couples wearing all black and band T-shirts pushing their kids on the swings. As I follow a trail around the water, I see teenagers playing soccer, and then some girls playing a classic game of Aussie rules marker’s up.

People pump away at the exercise equipment dotted along the path and others lay on blankets under the trees napping in the afternoon. It’s happening simultaneously, like all of Melbourne rolled into one place.

On the edge of the lake, I see a woman with a bag and a grab-stick fishing cans out of the water, so I go to say hello. Liz Hall works as part of a local group called Friends of Edwardes Lake to preserve, restore and manage the ecosystems of the lake. She says it’s important people respect the park by taking their rubbish with them and being mindful of its wildlife.

“I love nature, I love wildlife, and for me that’s part of what this is about,” Ms Hall says. “Two Sundays ago, we were standing in the creek, and we heard this plop in the water and we turned around, and there was this tiny southern brown tree frog right beside us – it was so exciting,” she says.

What’s nearby?

Just a short, 15-minute walk up Edwardes Street you’ll find a strip of shops fronts filled with cafes, bakeries, grocers and a pizza shop. Visit Alnor Art Florist for a look at the delightful blooms, or pop into the Vinnie’s opportunity shop to score some cute knick knacks.

Pick up a picnic

Lakeside Bakery on Edwardes Street is a great spot to pick up some delectable (and super affordable) Lebanese pastries to munch on in the park. Whether you’re craving something  sweet or savoury, they’ve got you covered.

72 Edwardes Street, Reservoir, VIC, 3073

lakeside-bakery.edan.io/

How to get there

Edwardes Street and Griffiths Street, Reservoir – Catch the Mernda train to Reservoir Station and walk 15 minutes or from there hop on a bus from the station to Gilbert Road/Edwardes Street – plenty of parking all around the park.