Lysterfield Lake
Rising from the southern foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, Lysterfield Park is the perfect place to explore nature with friends with a huge variety of recreational activities.
The 1,398-hectare park is situated approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Melbourne. It is a haven for native birds, mammals and reptiles.
Lysterfield Park was created following the decommissioning of the Lysterfield Reservoir that was built in 1936.
Parking
There are two parking areas with designated disabled parking spaces.
The first is the main road to the jetty and launching ramp. There are three parellel parks next to the main toilet block. These parks have a loading area on the curb side that leads directly to the main path to the toilet block and picnic area. The surface is asphalt but has a slope towards the lake of approximately 1 in 20.
There are two designated disabled spaces in the parking area near the dam wall. They are midway through the parking area on the lower level. They are angle parking spaces with a width of 4 metres. They are separated by a central access way giving additional spaces for loading and un loading
wheelchairs. The nearest step free exit from the car park to the picnic area is via the toilet block pathway at the northern end of the car park.
Picnic Areas.
Between the two car parks is a large picnic area consisting of both open grassland and sheltered treed areas. All of the picnic tables are of the same design. They are a square table with fixed bench seating around three sides. The fourth side is open with clear space under the table to allow wheelchair visitors to sit at the table front facing or visitors requiring back support to bring their own chairs. The open sides all have large level areas around them.
There are electric BBQ’s throughout the picnic area. They are operated by a flush push switch that is recessed. The hotplate height is 900 millimetres.
Through the centre of the park picnic area is a level asphalt path linking both of the parking areas.
Toilet Facilities
There are two toilet facilities in the park, one on the edge of either car parking area. Both have an identical unisex toilet cubicle. Both have out swinging doors with a lever type latch and “D” handle. The doors are very light to open. They are both fitted with an internal rotating type lock with a small wing handle. The rooms have ample maneuvering room and space beside the toilet for a wheelchair. The toilet seat height is 460 millimetres. There is one sloping grab rail on the side wall in front of the toilet. The flush is on the rear wall and consists of two large recessed push buttons. The action is light requiring little effort. There is a handbasin with clear space underneath it and no exposed hot water pipes. The tap is a push type with self timer. The action to activate the tap is light and the timer period a generous length. The rooms had a automatic hot air hand dryer.
Lake Access
The lake can be accessed in three places.
From the disabled parking near the jetty there is a gravel path to the lake front and Jetty area. The surface is fine, hard packed gravel. The slope from the car park to the lake foreshore is approximately 1 in 12.
Midway along the connecting path is a gently sloping asphalt path that leads to a small bridge and direct access to the lake edge path.
From the car park near the dam wall there is a path leading from the toilet block towards the wall. There is a steep path leading directly to the foreshore or a more gently sloping, 1 in 14, path that zig zags to the lake front.
The beach near the dam wall is hard sand and gently sloping allowing wheelchairs access right to the waters edge.
The path along the edge of the lake is a fine hard gravel and level.
There is a boat ramp for the launching of small non-powered craft and there is a sailability program run at the lake.
Bird Hide
Next to the launching ramp is the tailer parking area. At the end of the car park on the left hand side is an asphalt path that leads to the bird hide. The path is gently sloping with a maximum gradient of 1 in 20. The path is over 1.2 metres wide and has a smooth surface. The distance to the bird hide is 100 metres.
Entry to the bird hide is over a short boardwalk. There are no entry doors and the corridor into the main room is wide with ample maneuvering room.
The room is large with two special wheelchair positions allowing roll under access to the viewing slots. The slots are hinged and fold down. They require the operation of a small slide bolt.
