Redleap Reserve

Project

Redleap Reserve is a 6.2 hectare park in Mill Park, in Melbourne’s north, and home to the much-loved Peter Hopper Lake. Its facilities include sports ovals, playgrounds, barbecues and an off-leash dog area.

After a major revitalisation to restore the health of the lake, supported by a $2 million Australian Government grant through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the City of Whittlesea set out to renew the paths and spaces around it.

Design

With the lake renewal complete in 2025, half of the old perimeter path had been left as uneven crushed rock. Following a successful tender, Urbania delivered the Stage 2 landscape works to build a permanent 3m wide concrete circuit around the lake, designed by ACLA Consultants to Australian Standards and accessibility requirements, with engraved bluestone markers for the running track.

A new pedestrian bridge crosses the creek, and a lakeside viewing platform with built-in seating gives locals the perfect spot to sit and watch the water. The works reached practical completion in July 2026, ready for the lake path to reopen. New lighting, seating, a drink fountain, basalt boulders, advanced trees and fresh planting complete the picture, because a lap of the lake can be thirsty work.

Deliverables

This landscape package included demolition, earthworks, plumbing, electrical and concrete works, as well as:

1,641m² of pedestrian concrete paths and 407m² of vehicle-grade paving, including path extensions to the bus stop and the oval car park
A 6m long, 3m wide pedestrian bridge with balustrade, plus two culvert crossings
A lakeside viewing platform with eight StraBe seat modules
Engraved bluestone running track markers (start/finish plus four intermediate)
14 pole-mounted lights, with new footings, conduit and a switchboard upgrade
A Rubble drink fountain, eight StraBe park seats and 21 large basalt boulders
10 advanced trees, 638m² of mulched garden beds and 1,440m² of new grass
13 weeks of maintenance and establishment