In 1873 Mayor Duggall McDougall had the vision to turn a barren, dusty eyesore created by the mining around a section in the Bendigo Creek into an ornamental lake and reserve. In 1878 William Guilfoyle, recently appointed director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, was commissioned by the council to design what was first referred to as the Nolan street Reserve. He produced two plans of the design for council, and detailed 1600 trees to be planted on the site. Much of Guilfoyle's landscape style remains recognisable at Lake Weeroona. Mature signature trees such as Bunya Pine, Fig and Pine, picturesque islands and serpentine perimeter path, remain testament to Guilfoyles vision for the site.
Since its creation Lake Weeroona has filled a vast array of recreational needs for Bendigo and surrounding districts. Passive recreational activities are catered for through its broad lawns for picnics and relaxing, its historic pavilions, children's playground, and its various food outlets.
The lake is filled by storm water run off through a connection of drainage systems around the area. In low rainfall periods the lake is filled by recycled water that has been thoroughly treated by Coliban water, making it safe for recreational uses.
The children's adventure playground has received a major revamp; the works included repairs to play equipment, repainting, realignment of the fence, installation of additional bench seating and the laying of coloured rubberised soft fall to the whole area. The "new-look" playground now features a bike/walking track around its perimeter, a "grassed" theme and a "water" theme which is represented in the new green and blue rubberised safety surface. The fencing around the perimeter of the playground has also been extended to include a large Eucalypt tree to provide the area with some shade.
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