oldis gardens

Oldis Gardens are historic, aesthetically pleasing public gardens that have been modified to accommodate some modern wants. After going past the gardens many times by bus, I finally noticed what a nice facility they are and took a closer look. The gardens pretty much retain their original character as formal 19th-century gardens with paths and planting beds and rows of trees. Overall this is a lovely green, treed expanse running down to Merri Creek. It was set aside as a reserve in the mid-19th-century, with lots of deciduous European trees planted in the 1880s. You enter through an ornate old white gateway. You'll see a fountain dating from early in the twentieth century. And the cricket ground stadium dates from the 1920s. Modern additions include a community centre building, a children's playground and picnic tables. I'm told there are some free exercise classes held in the park (contact Darebin Council or Northcote Aquatic Centre for info).