By Eleanor Wilson
It has long been cherished by the local community as a premier destination for weddings, friendly catch ups and leisurely family strolls.
Now the “hidden gem of Berwick” has been honoured on a national scale.
Berwick’s Wilson Botanic Park has been awarded National Park of the Year 2022 by Parks and Leisure Australia.
The park, which recently celebrated its 30 year anniversary, won the award for its revitalisation during Covid.
Parks and Leisure Australia said the park “placed the environment and people first, supporting the community’s heightened reliance on open space, through rare species planting, bird attracting area, pop-up café, signage, amenities, paths, smart bin, park and ride, stormwater harvesting and a visionary, immersive sunken walkway into Lilypad Lake”.
City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff PSM said the council is thrilled to receive the award.
“Wilson Botanic Park Berwick is one of City of Casey’s premier parks and showcases unique plant collections, fossils, and fauna, all presented in picturesque open space,” she said.
“The Park plays an integral role in bringing the community together, supporting the community’s physical and mental health.
Ms Duff said the park has experienced a significant rise in visitors over the past two years, increasing from approximately 420,000 visitors in 2019 to almost 700,000 in 2021.
“As the Casey population grows and changes, it’s important that Wilson Botanic Park Berwick continues to provide high quality recreation and open space opportunities for the community,” she said.
Former park superintendent Lex Nieboer, who has been heavily involved in the establishment of the park over the last 30 years, said the park has long deserved recognition for its facilities.
“It is a fantastic garden so it’s good to see it’s being honoured and recognised by the authorities… it is most important,” Mr Nieboer said.
“I worked with the contractors who were asked to do the original master plan, so it’s gone from something that was just spoken about and now its come into reality…it’s a wonderful asset to the community both near and far.
“The potential has always been there, it’s just a matter of it getting the public attention and funding attention it deserves to realise that potential.”
Mr Nieboer said congratulation is also owed to the teams of dedicated park staff and volunteers, such as the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park, who have helped create the vision of the park over the years.
When it comes to the future of the park, Casey Council recently endorsed the Wilson Botanic Park Master Plan 2022, outlining the next 20 years of progress for the gardens.
The master plan includes proposals for a series of new feature gardens, a car park expansion and redevelopment of the Visitor Centre.
“Our recently endorsed Wilson Botanic Park Master Plan 2022 will guide the future strategic direction of the Park to ensure that the more than 600,000 residents who visit every year can continue to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, walks, native animals and plants,” Ms Duff said.
