Parks Week 2025

About

Cardinia Shire Council will host a variety of free community activities throughout the Shire from 3-10 March to celebrate Parks Week. 

Parks Week is a national event highlighting the importance of parks and outdoor spaces. To encourage the community to reconnect with nature, explore local parks, and participate in enjoyable outdoor activities council has organised free events for the community.  

Join us as we celebrate the beauty and diversity of our local parks. This special week is a wonderful opportunity to explore the natural wonders around us, participate in engaging activities, and connect with friends and family. Whether you want to take a scenic walk, enjoy a picnic, or participate in family-friendly events, there's something for everyone. 

Schedule of events

Find out more about what's on offer this week. Activities are hosted by Council, Aligned Leisure and local community groups and businesses. These activities are family-friendly and designed to cater to all.     

Sunday, 2 March 

Aligned Leisure Fun Run  

Order of events: 

  • 8am - Bib collection opens 
  • 9am - 10km Run 
  • 10am - 5km Run 
  • 10:30am 5km Walk - Prams & dogs welcome 

Monday, 3 March 

Koo Wee Rup Daytime walking group (all year round) (Heart Foundation Walking) 

  • Where: Meet at the Koo Wee Rup Clock Towers/ bus interchange, Rossiter Road Koo Wee Rup 
  • When: 9.00am 
  • Cost: Free 
  • More information: Enquiries to Marlene on 0429 814410  

Officer District Park doggy afternoon   

  • Where: Officer District Park, Officer  
  • When: Monday 3 March, 4–6pm  (please note there has been a change of date for this event due to forecasted hot weather)
  • Cost: Free 
  • More information: Grab your pooch and come along to Cardinia Shire's newest dog park! Hear from guest speakers and take advantage of special offers including:
    • Doggy Family Portraits: a professional photographer will capture photos of your family with your dog.  You will receive one free digital image after editing.
    • RSPCA dog behaviourists will be onsite to discuss dog behaviour issues.
    • Beyond Obedience Dog Training will also demonstrate how to use the park's dog agility equipment. 
    • Compliance Officers will be available to answer questions residents have regarding pet ownership, pet registration and animal behaviour. Half-price dog registration will also be offered to dog owners registering their pet for the first time. Please note: 
      • This offer is only for new registrations of desexed dogs that attend the Park's Week Officer District Park Doggy Afternoon event.
      • The dog must not have been registered with Cardinia Shire Council before.
      • This offer is available to pensioners and concession card holders.
      •  This offer does not include registrations for cats, entire dogs, or dangerous, menacing, and restricted breed dogs.
      • The normal dog registration fee is $59 full price and $27 for pensioners and concession, the discounted fee on the day will be $27 for full price and $13.50 for pensioners and concession. More information can be found on our Pet Registration page.
      • Payments must be made on the day with EFT payments only.

Learn to ride a bike (ages 5-12)  

  • Where: Ron Andrews Reserve (Clifford Drive), Pakenham  
  • When: Monday 3 March, 4.30–5.30pm or 5.45–6.45pm  
  • Cost: Free 
  • More information: These one-hour sessions will teach kids aged 5 to 12 how to ride a bike, as well as how to stay safe and maintain their bicycles. Limited spaces for each session, pre-registeration required. Please note this reserve does not have public toilet facilities. Register here. Learn to ride a bike - AusCycling VIC - revolutioniseSPORT  

Tuesday, 4 March 

Toomuc Valley Walkers (Heart Foundation Walking) 

Pakenham Bushwalking Club Inc 

  • Where: Lang Lang Foreshore to Jam Jerrup. Meet at car park at right hand end of Jetty Lane Lang Lang Beach   
  • When: Tuesday 4 March 9.00/9.15am start 
  • More information: 7 km easy walk. Walk along the foreshore to Stockyard Point and Jam Jerrup community precinct. (It’s Shrove Tuesday so pancakes will be provided). Enquiries to Marlene on 0429 814410  

Wednesday, 5 March 

Cardinia Wanderers (walks over 5km) (Heart Foundation Walking) 

Coffee with Community   

  • Where: Alma Treloar Reserve, Cockatoo  
  • When: Wednesday 5 March, 5–7pm  
  • Cost: Free 
  • More information: Come and have a chat with police officers, SES, CFA, Council members, Ausnet and other safety partners to discuss community concerns and build connections. The Melbourne Stars truck will also be in attendance with activities for kids and giveaways.   

Thursday, 6 March 

Koo Wee Rup Daytime walking group (all year round) 

  • Where: Meet at the Koo Wee Rup Clock Towers/ bus interchange, Rossiter Road Koo Wee Rup 
  • When: 9.00am 
  • More information: Enquiries to Marlene on 0429 814410  

Koo Wee Rup Evening Walkers 

  • Where: Meet at the Koo Wee Rup Clock Towers/ bus interchange, Rossiter Road Koo Wee Rup 
  • When: 7.00pm-8.00pm (during daylight saving) 
  • More information: Enquiries to Marlene on 0429 814410  

Friday, 7 March 

Marketplace Walkers (Heart Foundation Walking) 

Saturday, 8 March  

Emerald Lake Park lunch by the lake 

  • Where: Emerald Lake Park, Emerald  
  • When: Saturday, 8 March, 12–4pm  
  • Cost: Free (except purchases from food vendors) 
  • More information: Join us for an exciting afternoon of fun and relaxation! Kick off your experience with a lively Zumba class from 12:15pm to 1:00pm, located near the exercise equipment. After burning some calories, enjoy a delightful lunch by the lake—bring your own picnic or visit our food vendors for a variety of delicious options, as well as coffee from Barista On The Move.  Get creative at our flower crown-making stall and immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of local acoustic singer Lily Georgia, performing from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. As the day winds down, don't miss our closing pool party.  

Other ways to enjoy our parks

Mindfulness Signage  

Have you seen our new mindfulness signage in parks and reserves across the shire?  

Signage has been installed at:  

  • • BJ Wallis Gardens (Pakenham)  
  • • Eastone Reserve (Pakenham)  
  • • Emerald Lake Park (Emerald)  
  • • Hicks Reserve/ Timbertop (Officer)  
  • • Lakeside (Pakenham)  
  • • PB Ronald Reserve in the library garden (Pakenham)  

Scavenger hunt signs in parks 

Scavenger hunt signs have been installed at 20 parks and reserves in Cardinia Shire. Follow the directions on the signs to enjoy hours of fun and exploring! 

Parks where the signs are located: 

  • Beaconsfield: Kath Roberts Reserve, Tantallon Boulevard Detention Basin Reserve, and O'Neil Road Recreation Reserve 
  • Bunyip: Koolangarra Park 
  • Cockatoo: Alma Treloar Reserve 
  • Emerald: Puffing Billy Place Reserve 
  • Garfield: Garfield Recreation Reserve 
  • Gembrook: Gembrook Leisure Park and Redwood Road Reserve 
  • Koo Wee Rup: Cochrane Park 
  • Lang Lang: Dick Jones Park 
  • Nar Nar Goon: Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve 
  • Officer: Harmony Place Park and Kaduna Park playground 
  • Pakenham: Ron Andrews Park, Deep Creek Reserve, PB Ronald Reserve, Lakeside Park (known as Dragon Park), and Don Jackson Reserve 
  • Upper Beaconsfield: Keith Ewenson Park 

Further information can be found here: Scavenger hunt signs in parks - Cardinia Shire Council 

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