Karkarook Park

Karkarook Park is a metropolitan park located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

It is situated in the southeastern suburb of Heatherton and is easily accessible by car via Fairchild Street. The park surrounds the man-made Karkarook Lake, which was created from a sand mining pit between 1997 and 2001. The lake is 15 hectares wide and was filled in 2004 with groundwater pumped from a bore 500 meters away. The park has a rich history and cultural significance, with an acknowledgment plaque honoring the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria at the entrance.

The park is built on the traditional lands of the Bunurong people, and it is officially acknowledged by Parks Victoria. After sand extraction was completed in 2001, the park underwent rehabilitation, including the creation of forests, wetlands, ponds, walking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds. The main lake was filled in 2004, and the park now features open spaces, new vegetation, and paved foot/bike paths. There are plans to connect Karkarook Park with nearby parks to form a "chain of parks."

The lake and wetland systems in Karkarook Park serve important functions such as flood retardation and improving local environmental values. The primary lake has a water area of 14.9832 hectares and a perimeter of 2,068 meters. Two retention basins west of the lake act as extended wetlands, improving water quality. The park is surrounded by open space, new vegetation, and paved foot/bike paths, making it easily accessible for walkers and cyclists.

Karkarook Park is home to over 90 species of native waterfowl and more than 145 species of native birds. Wetland