The entrance at Kardella Street.
Hedgeley Dene Gardens in Malvern East is definitely a people's garden, judging by the people using them. Older couples, some with grandchildren, mothers with their children, dog walkers and even teenagers were among the people observed enjoying these wonderful gardens.
Room for all.
Enjoying the sun.
Hedgeley Dene Gardens is an irregularly shaped linear park extending along approximately 1.5 kilometres through a quiet residential area. It has a combination of open lawns, gardens beds, and deciduous and evergreen trees. A fine ornamental lake with an island, footbridges and rock grotto is located at the western end of the gardens. East of the lake, the garden opens onto areas of lawn cut across by a straight gravel path dotted with cast iron lamps (possibly c1930s).
Garden map.
Houses border most of the gardens.
Its wide, level sealed paths would be ideal for wheelchairs and the mobility challenged, giving them the opportunity to experience this unique setting. I first became aware of Hedgeley Dene Gardens about forty years ago during my career as a wedding photographer. It was one of the most popular gardens in Melbourne for wedding photography, so much so that the City of Stonnington has banned wedding ceremonies and photography in the gardens.
Can't tie the knot here.
On my early visits, the lake was spanned by a small arched bridge which was the most popular site to photograph wedding groups.
It's almost level.
Today, after decades of development I hardly recognised it. The lake has been expanded with additional bridges.
A friendly greeting.
A distant sound of running water was heard and rounding a bend a small waterfall was seen as the source.
The source of the running water.
The lake was home to many ducks, both in and out of the water.
Many ducks a swimming.
This one came close.
Other water birds seen was a Dusky moorhen and a White-faced Heron.
Dusky Moorhen preening.
Inquisitive Dusky moorhen.
White faced Heron.
Adjacent to the lake is a densely planted area of trees and shrubs with several paths meandering through them. The gravel paths almost seem like a tunnel as the trees and shrubs act as an umbrella over them. It would be a very cool spot on a hot day.
A choice of three.
These gravel paths would be easy going for wheelchairs, giving
the occupants the ability to actually touch some of the masses of flora that they pass.
Entering one of the paths.
It is a very verdant area with only a few specimens of floral flora.
Very attractive.
A splash of colour.
While walking along one of these paths rustling in a nearby shrub manifested itself as a Wattlebird feeding.
Wattle Bird feeding.
The gardens run from Kardella Street to Malvern Road, crossing two avenues. Kardella Avenue is a no-through road and is not recommended for parking. Glenbrook Avenue has a small parking bay and Malvern Road has a dedicated parking lane, but will require a walk to the lake area.
"Stay."
Facilities are a toilet block, drinking fountain for both man & dog, and numerous park benches.
Hedgeley Dene Gardens is a very versatile garden. A picturesque lake with waterbirds, expanses of lawn to sit, picnic and play, on-leash dog walking, or just exercise with the long straight path along the gardens.
The long path and old lamps.
It is very popular with local residents and I'm sure they wouldn't mind sharing their hidden gem with appreciative visitors.
