A major plan is underway to provide a trail network to connect 10 major parks though Melbourne’s far south and into the Mornington Peninsula.
The Peninsula Link trail will form the backbone of the network, with many other new and existing links comprising three levels of trail weaving to and between the core parks, and connecting to other local and regional natural attractions.
The vision is outlined in the draft Future Directions Plan for the Frankston to Mornington Parklands, which is available here.
The plan is now on exhibition for public comment.
The plan provides a framework to connect core parks including Seaford Wetlands, Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve, Studio Park, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Arboretum, Cruden Farm, Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve, Baxter Park, Sages Cottage Farm, Moorooduc Quarry and Devilbend Natural Features Reserve.
The Frankston to Mornington Parklands project is part of the Victorian Government’s $315 million Suburban Parks Program that is delivering more than 6,500 hectares of new and upgraded parks and trails in Melbourne’s growing suburbs.
The government says: “The Peninsula Link Trail is a significant active transport route that connects these parks and reserves, which are collectively referred to as the ‘core parks’.
"The plan will guide investment to improve connections between open spaces in the parklands and create an accessible open space network for local and regional visitors.
"The plan also considers interactions with and opportunities to link the core parks with other open spaces in Mornington Peninsula Shire, Frankston City and the wider region.
"The Peninsula Link trail project comprises of eleven missing links, of which Somerville to Baxter shared path project is fully funded.
"However, the Moorooduc Mornington section and implementation of the Frankston to Mornington Parklands Future Directions Plan are subject to further funding.
"These projects address opportunities to improve the Peninsula Trail network with the aim of creating safe, extended and uninterrupted walking and cycling trips through the northern Mornington Peninsula.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has put in place a Parklands Partnership Group (PPG) of agencies and key partners to create a shared vision for how access and connections can be improved across the network of green, open spaces. The PPG includes the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Frankston City, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Parks Victoria, Department of Transport, Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority and Melbourne Water.
The draft plan contains multiple detailed actions that arte proposed to bring the plan to fruition once funding is made available.
You can take the survey here.
Consultation will close on 28 June, feedback will be reviewed during July and a future directions plan finalised in August.
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