Banksia Park
Banksia Park is a park on the banks of the Yarra River in Heidelberg. It has wood barbecues, picnic shelter, playground, an off leash secure dog walking area and a toilet block.
Toilet Facilities
The toilet facilities are located at the beginning of the park, where the road divides leading to the two distinct sections of the park. There are parking areas either side of the toilet block each having one designated disabled parking space of 3.6 metres in width. The toilet block is reached via a sealed path with a gradient of less than 1 in 14. The path is 1.5 metres in width.
The toilet has a unisex accessible cubicle. The large door swings outward and is light to open. The handle is a lever “push down” type that can be operated by wrist only. The lock is an internal rotating type that does not require finger dexterity. The toilet is 450 millimeters high and has side and rear grab bars. The is room beside the toilet for a wheelchair. The hand basin is accessible and there are no exposed hot water pipes. The basin has cold water only. The tap is a rotating type with a small lever.
Outside the toilet block is a drinking fountain.
Dog Friendly Park
The Dog park is an off leash area allowing dog owners, but especially those with a disability, to allow their dogs to exercise freely without of risk of them running off or being difficult to find.
Parking
Just outside the fenced area are two accessible parking spaces either side of a clearway giving ample loading room even for side ramped vans. There is a short sealed path to the gates of the fenced area.
Facilities
Entry is through a set of two gates which are light to open and both gates open either or out. The latch is a metre off the ground and lifts upward. It can be operated without finger dexterity. Between the gates is ample room for a wheelchair with over 2 metres of clear space. Within the park there is a large circular track of compact fine gravel leading between the trees and large open grassed play areas. The entire area is level. There are seats with backrests within the area and a drinking fountain for both human and dogs.
Cherry Blossom Loop Walk.
The Cherry Blossom Loop Walk is 820 metres long and starts from the entry to the Dog Friendly Park. The entire loop is sealed and level. The path is over 2 metres in width making it ideal for wheelchair and walker users. Seats with backrests are provided around the loop and each area has provision for wheelchairs. Information signage is readable from wheelchair height with paved access. The path follows the river and returns through the Cherry Tree Grove.
Western Loop Walk
At the western end of the park is another parking area that has a 3.6 metre designated
disabled parking space. There is another full sealed loop path approximately 1.5 kilomtres
in length. This path contains gradients that exceed 1 in 14.
A drinking fountain is located at the beginning of the loop path.
Picnic Pavilion
About 500 metres from the toilet block and information board is a picnic pavilion with under cover tables.
There is a parking area that provides direct access to the pavilion via a 50 metre sealed path. There are no designated disabled parking spaces in the car park, however there is a space either side of a marked access way for those requiring wheelchair access at the side of their vehicle. Access from the car park is level.
The pavilion has a paved floor. There is one accessible picnic table with an extended table top to allow wheelchair users to sit front facing at the table. There are wood fired BBQ’s with a working height of 800 millimetres on the lawn area around the pavilion.
