A GREEN SPACE AT THE HEART OF CRAIGBURN FARM
Woodlake Drive Reserve is a green space at the heart of Craigburn Farm and formed part of the original housing development which began in 1995 by the Adelaide Development Company (ADC). It is connected to a string of other Reserves in the suburb by a series of creeks and ponds leading downstream to the Sturt Gorge Recreation Park.
In the early days, residents say that Woodlake Drive Reserve was well-maintained with its duckpond, boardwalk and deck, a playground, rotunda and sub-surface irrigation. However, when ownership of this green space was transferred from the ADC to Mitcham Council (perhaps around 2010), they say the level of maintenance declined. Much of the sub-surface irrigation stopped working, the boardwalk and deck deteriorated badly, and the greenery was poorly maintained. Things came to a head in November 2021 when a mini-cyclone swept through the area and there was widespread damage with many trees down in the Reserve. This motivated a group of residents to form the Woodlake Reserve Action Group to work with Mitcham Council to restore and improve the condition of the Reserve.
Woodlake Drive Reserve comprises three zones as shown in the map below. Zone 1 is the main recreation space and includes the duckpond, deck and boardwalk, playground, rotunda, picnic table and benches. It is also the area where Council have invested in repairing the sub-surface irrigation system. Zone 2 is mainly comprised of trees with a creekline running through it. Zone 3 is mainly an open grassy area at the top end of the Reserve with great views down to the rest of the Reserve and beyond.
