Jells Park is a public park in Wheelers Hill, a southeastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The park opened on 30 April 1976 and is named after Joseph Jell, a cattle grazier who worked in the area in the mid-late 1800s.[2] The park attracts in excess of 900,000 visitors a year.[1]
Whilst a significant part of Jells Park has been cleared and revegetated, its biodiversity is still significant, forming part of the Dandenong Creekwildlife corridor. Under the ecological vegetation class system, it is predominantly swampy woodland and swampy riparian woodland.[3]
The park is home to the man-made Jells Lake, with two jetties where recreational fishing is a popular activity.[4]European carp are present in large numbers in the wetland and have become a significant concern for its biodiversity.[5] The lake is abutted by a grassed picnic area on the northwest, whilst an area of remnant bush surrounds the rest of the lake. This bush also contains a bird hide which can be used to spot a variety of native bird species such as Australasian swamphens, pelicans, Eurasian coots, dusky moorhens, and several species of ducks.[6]
Paths
Entrance to Jells Park from Shepherds Lane
Jells Park contains an extensive network of shared use paths for cycling, walking, and running.[1] The Dandenong Creek Trail runs north—south through the park. Scotchmans Creek Trail also runs through the park from the west, connecting with Dandenong Creek Trail in the south east corner. EastLink Trail skirts the southern edge of the park. A little further north of the park, the Blind Creek Trail comes in from the east and also terminates at the Dandenong Creek Trail.
The Conservation Trail follows the eastern side of the lake past billabongs and wetlands. The bird hide is accessible from this path.
Most trails through the park are paved but some are firm gravel. Paths are generally well signposted and suitable for prams.[6][7] Dogs are permitted on-lead in much of the park, except for the areas of remnant bushland where they are prohibited.[1]
Facilities
A picnic area at the park
The park is popular for picnics and barbecues, with playgrounds at Yabby Hill.[7] In late 2018, the remaining wood-burning barbecues were removed in favour of the newer gas ones, leaving eight gas barbecues remaining.[4] The park incorporates the following picnic areas:[1]
Picnic shelter
Barbecues
Carparking
Disabled access
Toilets
Information
Notes
Pines Picnic Area
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Playground
Stringybark Picnic Area
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Elms Picnic Area
No
No
No
No
No
No
Grassed area
Jells East Picnic Area
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Oaks Picnic Area
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Playground
Ashes Picnic Area
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
There is a visitor centre in the north west of the park which is run by Parks Victoria and incorporates a cafe and toilet block.[7]
Two ovals in the south of the park are frequently used for sporting activities and are open for public access at other times.[1]
Ownership History
1839 - Licenced to Thomas Napier. 1839 - Lease sold to Alexander Scott. 1848 - Divided into several holdings - section including today's Jells Park licenced to Joseph Jell & James Ramsay. 23 Apr 1853 - Land Parish of Mulgrave drawn giving Joseph Jell pre-emptive claim to 320 acres. July 1855 - Title issued to Joseph Jell. 1886 - Sold to Thomas William Norris. 1888 - Sold to Thomas Knight Bennett. 1906 - Ownership transfered to the Caledonian and Australian Mortgage and Agency Company Limited. 12 Nov 1910 - Purchased at auction by Thomas Stephens. 1919 - 320 acres subdivided in two. Northern 160 acres (Jells Park) retained by Thomas Stephens, Southern 160 acres sold to Leonard Sydney Henry Stott. 14 Nov 1936 - Willed to Amanda Florence Stephens & Norman Thomas Stephens. 22 Jan 1937 - Sold to Alexander McKenzie (Property managed by George William Herring). 18 Aug 1947 - Willed to Roberta Florence Bennett, Annie Margaret Muriel McKenzie, Edna Georgina Alice Wainwright & John Alexander McKenzie. 13 Oct 1949 - Sold to George William Herring & Violet Florence Emily Matilda Herring. 1969 - Sold to MMBW (Melbourne Water). April 1976 - Jells Park opened to the public.
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