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Historic Grape Walk resurrected at Botanic Gardens

Thursday 17 May 2012

The City of Greater Bendigo has constructed a new Grape Walk Arbour at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens as part of an ongoing effort to restore the heritage gardens to their former glory.

The Grape Walk -  a pergola structure that will eventually be covered in vines, has been based on a photograph taken around 1910 of a similar structure at the gardens.  The design of the new $161,000 structure was approved by Heritage Victoria and constructed and funded by the City of Greater Bendigo.

City of Greater Bendigo Cr Lisa Ruffell said while the original Grape Walk was constructed of timber, the new one has been built using steel and wire mesh panels to ensure its longevity and to minimise maintenance costs.

“The Grape Walk is yet another piece of the puzzle of reconstructing the historic part of the Bendigo Botanic Gardens.

“It is an exciting step in the journey towards restoring the historic parts of the Botanic Gardens to its former glory,” said Cr Ruffell.

President of the Friends of the Bendigo Botanic Gardens Jane Cleary said a selection of historic and modern grape varieties, along with some ornamental climbers, will be planted along the walk.

“This new development will add a new experience for visitors to the gardens,” Ms Cleary said. 

She said visitor numbers have noticeably increased since the City of Greater Bendigo’s implementation of the award winning master plan has commenced. 

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Updated: 9:32 AM, 17 May 2012