The Town has recently completed landscape upgrades to at GO Edwards Park, a high quality parkland containing mature trees, open turf, a playground and a rehabilitated wetland area.
GO Edwards Park is a prestigious passive park bounded by Great Eastern Highway, Burswood Road and Craig Street within the Town of Victoria Park. It comprises 10.37 hectares of high quality parkland containing many stately mature trees, open turf, a playground and a rehabilitated wetland area. The reserve is a popular destination and is frequently booked for weddings and functions.
In 2011, the Town engaged AECOM to undertake Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) for the lake and a Landscape Concept Plan to enhance the parkland. The landscape design is to protect the natural environment and existing function of spaces, while taking into account the opinions and requirements of the local council, stakeholders, the community and local groups.
In 2015, the Town commissioned AECOM to undertake the detailed development design and staging plan for the area based on the concept plan and WQIP. The development was broken into five separable portion areas proposed for construction over a five year period. Council committed $650,000 of funding in the 2017/18 budget for the construction of stage one and to progress the development of detailed design and specification for stages two and three.
In 2017, the Town undertook a tender process for the stage one construction works. A number of suitably qualified tenderers provided competitive submissions for the supply and construction of GO Edwards Park Landscape Upgrades – Stage 1. After thoroughly assessing each of the tenders, LD Total received the highest total weighted score.
The GO Edwards Concept Plan and Design Report are available to view below.
GO Edwards Concept Plan
GO Edwards Park Design Report
Works summary
Stage 1
In 2018, Stage 1 works included:
- Creation of an interactive, site sensitive nature based play area with alternative play equipment, to be more creative and fun for young children and families to enjoy.
- Water Sensitive Urban Design - Naturally vegetated and rock-lined swale as a feature amenity to treat stormwater runoff from access road and car park.
- Wooded tree planting area plus deep-rooted vegetation for water quality improvement of the lake (Melaleuca, Eucalyptus and Casuarina species).
- Significant softscape works increasing vegetation and habitat, reducing water consumption.
- The installation of a bird hide.
- Construction of stage one of the east west path network linking Burswood Peninsular to Victoria Park.
- Small timber footbridges providing pedestrian access over swales.
- Enhanced visibility through the reserve to encourage patronage, and to discourage anti-social behaviour.
Stage 2
In 2019, Stage 2 works included:
- Feature entrances with tree lined 3.5m width main pathway.
- Cantilever outlook deck to lake edge.
- Paved area with barbeque and picnic facilities including multiple sheltered areas.
- Creation of an interactive, site sensitive nature based play area to be more creative and fun for younger children and families to enjoy.
- Water sensitive urban design - naturally-vegetated and rock-lined swale as a feature amenity to treat stormwater runoff from ROW 59 prior to entering the lake.
- Significant softscape works increasing vegetation and habitat, reducing water consumption.
- Small timber footbridges providing pedestrian access over the vegetated swale.
- Proposed wooded tree planting area and deep-rooted vegetation for water quality improvement of lake.
- Construction of stage two of the east west path network linking Burswood peninsula to Victoria Park.
- Enhanced visibility through the reserve to encourage patronage, and to discourage anti-social behaviour.
- Environmentally sensitive lighting to provide a safe environment within the park.
Stage 3
In 2019, Stage 3 works included:
- Formal paved area to existing gazebo with seating walls increasing function amenity and disability access.
- Formal bridal walk with arbor to existing gazebo.
- Creation of the separate landscape character areas with a formal garden to existing gazebo location.
- Installation of upgraded concrete path network Burswood Road to Great Eastern Highway and Hawthorn Place increasing disability access and inclusion.
- Picnic facilities and a new sheltered area overlooking the parklands.
- Rest stop seating areas overlooking parklands.
- Significant softscape works increasing vegetation and habitat, reducing water consumption.
- Enhanced visibility through the reserve to encourage patronage, and to discourage anti-social behaviour.
- Environmentally sensitive lighting to provide a safe environment within the park.
Stages 4 and 5
The Town appointed UDLA to undertake detailed design development of Stages 4 and 5 based on the Concept Plan and Staging Plan.
Stage 4 and 5 works were carried out in 2022 and included:
- Installation of upgraded concrete path network - Great Eastern Highway to Burswood Road; Craig Street and Hawthorn Place - increasing disability access and inclusion
- Exercise stations throughout the park
- Enclosed 'off-lead' dog exercise area with agility equipment
- Rest stop seating areas overlooking parklands
- Planting of more trees
- Significant softscape works including a new wetlands area, increasing vegetation and habitat, reducing water consumption
- Enhanced visibility through the reserve to encourage patronage, and to discourage anti-social behaviour
- Environmentally sensitive lighting to provide a safe environment within the park
- Upgrades to existing irrigation system
- Upgrades to aeration system to the lake including programmable lighting
- Improved pedestrian realm to ROW 59 including lighting and carparking
- Water Sensitive Urban Design - naturally vegetated and rock lined swale as a feature amenity to treat stormwater runoff from ROW 59 prior to entering the lake.