WA’s oldest national park gets an upgrade
- WA Parks Foundation supports revitalisation at John Forrest National Park
- New signage at Swan View Tunnel illustrates WA’s railway history
- Specially designed barbecue enables wheelchair access
Western Australia’s earliest national park, John Forrest National Park, has welcomed new infrastructure thanks to a $100,000 investment from the WA Parks Foundation, in partnership with Chevron Australia and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
WA Parks Foundation Chair, the Hon Kerry Sanderson AC said the revitalisation of the park, including additional interpretative signs, a universal access barbecue and children’s nature play area, had increased the park’s accessibility as a recreational space.
“WA Parks Foundation is proud to see John Forrest National Park fitted with a universal access barbeque; one of only two such barbeques located in Perth Hills’ national parks,” she said.
“The Swan View Tunnel is already one of the park’s most popular attractions and now, thanks to several interpretative panels delivered as part of this project, visitors walking the trail can learn about the tunnel’s important role in our State’s heritage.”
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Parks and Visitor Services Executive Director Peter Sharp said the revitalisation project would improve visitor experience with enhanced picnic and day-use facilities, trails network, landscaping and future plans for a café, visitor and interpretive centre.
The nature play area created in the main picnic area as part of the upgrade incorporates stepping logs, a tepee, log tunnel and benches for parents.
Chevron General Manager Corporate Affairs Kate Callaghan said the new infrastructure would reinvigorate one of WA’s most spectacular natural attractions.
“Chevron is proud to play a role in making Perth a thriving place to live and work by creating opportunities for all community members to enjoy the many benefits of connecting with the State’s unique environment,” she said.
The project was made possible thanks to a $100,000 sponsorship from WA Parks Foundation Founding Partner Chevron Australia and in-kind support from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Quick Facts on John Forrest National Park:
- WA’s first park proclaimed in November 1900
- Area: 26.78 km2
- 10 species of native mammal (one declared rare)
- 91 species of bird (two considered to be in need of special protection)
- 23 species of reptile and 10 species of frog
- Around 490 species of flora recorded for this park.
