Brimbank Park’s tracks have long been enjoyed by runners.
Just 15 kilometres from the city, the park is a hollowed out valley about 55 metres below Keilor’s basalt plain and is something of a sheltered, verdant oasis.
The park was put to good use by the Keilor- St Bernard’s Athletics Club from the late 1970s. Club founder Ron Stobaus said the club began training in the park as soon as it was opened to the public in 1976.
“We loved the open air and the undulations,” he said.
Training in the park ceased about two years ago because of regulatory difficulties.
Then along came Glenn Rowlands, an avid runner and aircraft engineer who moved to Australia from the UK for work eight years ago.
Since settling in Wyndham Vale, Mr Rowlands has started Saturday morning running groups at Point Cook and Altona under the auspices of parkrun Australia.
He now has his sights set on getting another up and running in Brimbank Park.
“It’s a hidden gem in the west,” he said. “I run there with my wife occasionally … it would be an ideal spot for a parkrun.”
He has secured approval for two courses with Parks Victoria, and is awaiting news from Brimbank council that the group has secured funding to help get the volunteer-run project started.
“If we’re successful in our grant application, we’d be looking at starting in January next year… fingers crossed,” Mr Rowlands said.
For details, got to the “Brimbank Park parkrun (Prospect)” page on Facebook.
