Location and History
Grinstead Park is
situated at Shand St., Alderley. (UBD Ref. Map 139 D8).
Although most of the recreational facilities are on the eastern side,
the western portion also boasts tall eucalypts, and revegetated
and grassy areas. There is a path following downstream parallel to
the Brook from Corbett Steet that passes under the road bridge and
through to Royal Parade on the eastern side of the Park.
Grinstead Park Bushcare Group was formed in
1996 to protect a native frog-breeding site near a stand of mature
eucalypts. The initial focus was on providing cover for frogs by
fencing off the area to exclude mowers and allowing natural
regeneration of vegetation.
At first, native grasses and eucalypt
seedlings emerged in dry conditions; the regeneration area was then
extended. Exotic grasses became dominant following good seasonal
conditions.
Fire!
In November 2000, a wildfire burnt the whole
regeneration area.There was a total loss of understorey at the start of
the frog-breeding season leaving frogs without shelter or calling
sites. The fire damaged mature trees and nesting boxes.
Action plan following fire
The immediate aim was to re-establish
understorey plants.
With assistance from Grovely TAFE Students,
300 plants indigenous to the Brook were planted and mulched. The
aim was to increase plant diversity and provide a habitat for wildlife
in the future.
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What’s happening now
Since 2000, regular planting days have
resulted in a great wildlife habitat. Sightings of native wildlife have
increased.
There is habitat for small birds and
butterfly habitat to complement the two existing frog-breeding sites.
 Annual weeds emerge to provide valuable food and
shelter for small birds like the blue fairy wrens. In
2002, a Blue Fairy Wren breeding site was spotted in a stand of
tall weeds (Thickhead – Crassicephalum crepidoides).
Weeds - untidy to some,
home to others.
Areas like Grinstead Park provide native
animals with habitat that is becoming scarce elsewhere as increased
inner city development squeezes them out of the backyards they used to
call home.
Focus on Frogs –
Frog Creek
Frog Creek is a permanent frog breeding site.
How did it originate?
In 1996, a bund was installed at the Sandy
Creek end of the earth drain to improve its water holding capacity.
The initial planting was a joint effort
between Grinstead Park Bushcare Group and WSPQ Kedron Brook. A riparian
planting scheme of Lomandra spp., sedges and several acacias
was planted at the Sandy Creek end of the drain. Timber bollards marked
the site.
The Bushcare Group continued to plant only
the southern side of the drain to reduce shading on the site and still  provide frogs with protection from
predators and sunlight. Tadpoles require warm to hot water temperatures
to quickly complete the growth cycle from egg spawn to froglet.
Frog species recorded using this site are:
Lymnodynastes ornatus
- Ornate Burrowing Frog
Lymnodynastes peronii
- Striped Marsh Frog
Adelotis brevis -
Adelotis brevis
(Occasionally Tree Frogs will use this site if insufficient rain falls
at the nearby ephemeral grassland site)
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The Ephemeral Grassland Soak
The breeding population was decimated by
wildfire in summer of 2000. This site is only viable after heavy summer
rainfall. Grassy plants like Lomandra and Dianella provide shelter and
calling sites.
Species recorded using this site are :
- Litoria caerulea
- Green Tree Frog
- Litoria gracilenta
- Graceful Tree Frog
- Litoria dentata
- Bleating Tree Frog
- Litoria fallax
- Eastern Sedge Frog
Frogs have very specific breeding site
requirements. Litoria sp. favour shallow grassland soaks. Lymnodynastes
sp. favour deeper pools of water.
Other reports and contacts
Group Contact
Don't hesitate to join a dynamic
environmental group. Come along and make a difference locally.
- All you need is gloves, covered shoes and
a hat.
- Afternoon tea is provided.
- A notice board adjacent to the
parking area gives up to date details on activities and locations
within the Park.
Plantings are regularly conducted. We meet on the first Sunday of every other month - Feb, Apr, Jun,
Aug, Oct & Dec, 9am to 11.30am.
For more information contact Janet White on 3355 1884 or email janwhite@bigpond.net.au
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