2009: The park is an area of undeveloped land stretching from the northern extents of meadow Heights to the southern extents of Jacana.
Opportunities: The steep slope of the land provides panoramic views as well as opportunities for stormwater collection. Local houses back onto the park and there are nearby schools, providing opportunities to increase the amount of community involvement in the area.
Constraints: Residents have requested a running track, and don't wish the aesthetics of the park to alter significantly. Broadmeadows has a very low rainfall, so any WSUD needs to incorporate surrounding houses and streets. Construction or implementation of design should not increase the existing noise pollution from air traffic.
Site Vision - Key Concepts: Treatment and storage of water and the inclusion of public art; Improving transport, access & movement; Incorporating community gardens; Bioretention systems; Elevated wetlands and a constructed wetland; An arboretum; 5km of running tracks; Bus routes and Bike-hire schemes.
Movement & Transportation Stage 1: Open access from backyards & community gardens.
Movement & Transportation Stage 2: Shared trails within the park.
Movement & Transportation Stage 3: Valley Park bus loop & shared bicycle scheme.
Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Technologies: Bioretention Systems - primary water treatment.
ESD Technologies: Elevated Wetlands - secondary water treatment.
ESD Technologies: Constructed Wetland - tertiary water treatment.
The Arboretum: Located within the boundaries of the running track, the design of the arboretum reflects the communities and cultures of Broadmeadows.
The South-East Asia Garden: Public art installations make reference to the plant species found in tropical forests in south-east Asia which can't be planted in the park.
The Amphitheatre: This landmark for the Valley Park faces across the wetland, showing the panorama of night lights from the surrounding residential area.
The Australian Garden: This showcase for native drought-tolerant plants is also used to educate visitors about wise water-use in their own gardens, and allows the particular beauty of the Australian landscape to be appreciated in an urban setting.
The Middle-East Garden: Combining the landscape and plant species of Iraq, Turkey and Lebanon, the tree-lined walks of the Cedar Garden and the Olive Garden can also support secondary functions. Areas of the Olive Garden are set aside for tree propagation, and olives are sold to visitors and local businesses.
