Old Pound Reserve

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This 5 hectare reserve was previously used as showgrounds for the Lilydale Show Society and the municipal pound, hence the name.


There is access from Nelson Road and Poyner Avenue. Off street parking is available at the scout and guides hall in Erldunda Court.

There is a wide gravel path connecting Nelson Road and Poyner Avenue. To circumnavigate the reserve from Poyner Avenue back to Nelson Road, a wide well-mowed grass is a pleasant walk.


The only facilities are two park benches along the gravel path. If you stay on the path, it is very wheelchair accessible, apart from a gentle slope in one section.


On my first visit to the reserve, I saw no birdlife. My second visit made up for it. Soon after entering the reserve the loud screeching of two sulphur-crested cockatoos being chased by four noisy minors through the trees, was hard not to hear, before they landed on the roadside electricity wires, still being harassed by the miners.


A couple of currawongs, several more noisy miners, a fleeting glimpse of a crimson rosella and a few tiny wrens were also seen.






At the Poyner Avenue end, there are two small ponds fed by underground drains. They are surrounded by reasonably dense shrubs. From about fifty metres away the sounds of several frogs could be clearly heard, but could not be sighted.


Only two types of flowers were seen, probably not indigenous specimens.




The main area of the reserve is an open grassy forest and is classified as being of significant vegetation. A grassy area is at the south end. This area is rather flat and would be suitable for ball games.


Talking to a long-time local resident, whose property backs onto the reserve, he remarked that the noisy miners lived up to their name. He also related to waking up one morning many years ago to see a camel and an elephant grazing in the reserve. It can be assumed it was a feeding area when a circus was in town. He also said that Kookaburras and ducks occasionally roosted in the trees.


While this reserve has no special attractions it would be a good location to sit on one of the bench seats and watch for birds. It would also be a pleasant walk if you find walking through thick bush on your own a little daunting and perhaps a little claustrophobic.

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#outer_east
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