Braeside Park

Braeside Park is accessible from Lower Dandenong Road (Melway 88 D8) and Governor Road (Melway 93 F2)

Governor Road and Red Gum Picnic Area

The Governor Road end of the park gives access to the wetlands and bird hide.

Parking

There is a designated disabled parking area on the left on entering the Red Gum picnic area. The individual bays are not marked and there is a central loading area. The surface of the parking area is hard packed blue metal. There are some loose large stones on the surface.

Picnic Facilities

The picnic tables are just off the disabled parking area and are situated on a level grassed area. The surface is hard and the tables are equipped with a roll under end and level surface

Toilet Facilities

There is a single toilet block that serves the Red Gum picnic area. It is at the end of the carpark with a hard packed gravel approach path. There are male and female accessible toilet facilities located within the male and female toilet blocks that are partially accessible. There is adequate maneuvering room for a wheelchair within the cubicle however there is only a single side hand rail that does not extend the full side length of the toilet and there is no back hand rail. Seat height is 380 millimetres

Wetland Trail

The main attraction from this end of the park is the Wetland Trail. This trail is very well maintained. It is hard gravel with a fine surface. All of the paths are wide, level with no cross slopes. The wetlands are accessible via wooden viewing platforms and boardwalks. Both are accessible and the boardwalks have raised safety edges.

Bird Hide

The bird hide allows a great view of the wet lands wildlife. It is approximately a kilometre from the carpark and picnic area. The access path is wide and level throughout and the hide is fully accessible with a special wheelchair viewing position

Lower Dandenong Road Entrance

Vistors Centre

The visitors centre is accessed via the Cockatoo Carpark. There are two marked disabled parking spaces either side of the main entrance to the centre. The carpark is hard packed gravel although the surface does have some loose stones. The path to the visitors centre is concrete and relatively level. The visitor centre is a accessible.

Toilet facilities

Next to the visitor centre is a partially accessible unisex facility.

The entry door is wide and there is ample room inside to maneuverer a wheelchair. The seat height of the toilet is 38 cm. Bars are positioned both beside and behind the toilet. The hand basin is in a solid cabinet with the taps on the back wall.

Inclusive Playground

Adjacent to the visitor centre is the inclusive playground. The playground has a centre ramped spine which gives access to a variety of play features for children of all abilities. It also allows parents with a disability full access.

Self Guided Trail

The self guided trail is best done in reverse, taking the left hand fork at the trail information sign. The first 200 metres is a wide flat and hard packed gravel path leading to two ponds. Both ponds give a great view of the local water birds. Beyond the first two ponds the trail becomes narrower and the two small wooden bridges would require some assistance as both surfaces are not suitable for the standard front casters of most wheelchairs. The Self Guided Trail is best accessed from either the Robin or Magpie Carparks. Both have two disabled bays at the half way point of the carpark.

Federation Picnic area

The Federation Picnic area is a large open grassy area suitable for picnics and family play. There are no facilities in this part of the park. The surface is cut grass which can be uneven in places. The picnic area is serviced by four carparks, Swallow, Kestrel, Goshawk and Pelican. Each of these carparks has two designated bays either side of the entrance to the picnic area. Swallow has two straight bays with an access area in between that would allow for a side loading van. The other three have wide angled bays to allow easy access.