Open Spaces (Parks)
Ballarat is well known for some of its key open space areas, like Lake Wendouree, Victoria Park, Lake Learmonth and Mt Buninyong as well as smaller community open spaces.
The open space system provides a diverse range of opportunities for residents and visitors as well as the preservation of significant natural environments and features.
An impressive mix of waterway corridors, natural forests, lakes, sporting reserves, community parks, playgrounds, regional parks, linkages, landscaped areas, urban spaces and conservation reserves make up the Ballarat open space system.
Open space is a significant contributor to the provision of quality communities. Its benefits include:
- Physical benefits that promote health and wellbeing;
- Psychological benefits through the provision of natural environments;
- Social benefits through provision of settings for social networks, creating a sense of community and meeting others;
- Environmental benefits through the preservation of ecosystems, creation and protection of habitat and encouraging advocates of the natural environment;
- Spiritual benefits through the provision of natural environments for contemplation and reflection, invoking a sense of place and connectedness.
The City of Ballarat has more open space than any other regional city in Victoria consisting of:
- Two botanical gardens
- 200 neighbourhood parks
- 18 major parks
- 44 sports grounds
- Three lakes
- Two significant volcanic mountains
- 32km of walking and cycling trails
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