The State Government is starting development of a $5.9M trail in Jells Park, Wheelers Hill, in Melbourne’s East.
The 5km loop trail will link together and upgrade a number of existing paths, add new sections of trail, and incorporate signage, lighting and other facilities to create an inviting circuit for riders, runners and walkers.
The 127 hectare Jells Park is an ideal destination for riders as it connects into metropolitan Melbourne's trail network at several points.
The main Dandenong Creek Trail runs north-south through Jells Park, linking the Eastlink Track, Scotchmans Creek pathway and the Knox bike track (near Nortons Park).
The Trail will be a minimum of 3 metres wide, with the existing trail being re-surfaced and the lighting will ensure that the track is safe to use at night, with public drinking fountains at each kilometre mark, and seating which is safely spaced and a safe distance from the track.
While the map shows the proposed trail alignment, it may be changed following environmental, cultural and heritage surveys.
While the trail is under construction some isolated areas, such as bridges, may have detours in place for a short amount of time. Disruptions will be detailed through park signage and in community updates.
The project is being undertaken by Parks Victoria which is seeking public input into the plans.
"We are seeking your input to help inform the design of the trail,” Parks Victoria says. "Your feedback and ideas will be used when drafting the design which will be shared with the community in mid 2022 for further feedback."
Understanding how people want to use the trail and what they would like to see will shape the initial designs.
"Once we have initial design, we will be looking for additional feedback to ensure that it meets the communities needs and expectations. Some areas of the design will be informed by environmental, heritage and cultural heritage requirements – but this will be clearly communicated as part of the engagement process. "
You can have your say by completing the survey.
The survey will be open until 31 March 2022. After the survey is closed Parks Victoria will consider all the feedback submitted, draft initial designs and report back to the community.
There will also be the opportunity of speaking with Parks Victoria staff at a number of pop up events at Jells Park during March.
There will be further community engagement in April, draft trail designs will be developed by June, further community feedback in July-August, with tender awarded and construction starting in December.
