Park friends dream big

THE Friends of Park Lake maybe a small group of volunteers in Creswick, but they certainly know how to have big dreams.

Park Lake was once the social heart of Creswick but fell into neglect in the 1930s. The Friends’ goal is to re-establish the space as a valued community asset.

Group secretary Andrew Bell said that the Friends have identified several dreams that will turn Park Lake into a desirable destination to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

The first goal is already underway, with a riot of rhododendrons being planted along the lakeside and hillside pathways.

The second is to redevelop the Caretaker’s Cottage, currently empty, but to be brought back to life as a Park Lake Museum and tea-rooms.

The third, and perhaps the most ambitious, is to reinstate a version of the original old fernery.

Its rockeries and steps remain, but the structure is long gone. Once installed it will be a magnificent drawcard seen from the Daylesford Road.

The final hope is to introduce a sculpture park to the east of the plantation, playing host to monumental sculpture exhibitions, evolving into a permanent collection.

“The original fernery was probably built to cater to the Victorian Pteridomania, otherwise known as fern fever,” Mr Bell said.

“The Friends’ dream is to make sure we can keep the mania alive.”

The Friends of Park Lake meet every Wednesday at 3.30pm on the jetty over the lake. For further information contact Mr Bell on 0490 930 854.