About the gardens
Tim Neville Arboretum has sun-filled and shaded grassy areas, offering a picture-perfect place to picnic.
There's a beautiful lake and wetlands system complete with ducks (and ducklings in the spring).
A boardwalk crossing lets you take in the view.
Explore the many walks around the flower beds and beautifully planted cottage and rose-filled gardens.
Other features
The Arboretum also has:
- picnic tables
- picnic shelters
- a number of BBQ’s
- a large gazebo and an amphitheatre
- a sculptured wall
- ample seating
- even and easy-walking pathways
- fountains
- Knox’s war memorial
- stormwater treatment and habitat wetland
- public toilets
- large playground.
You can find a War Memorial in the quiet part of the gardens.
About the playground
The playground was recently upgraded and reopened to the community on 30 August 2024.
Some of the key features of the playground include:
- a flying fox
- a castle fort
- a dragon themed water play area
- a new sandpit with water play
- a large, wide slide
- a 'quad bay' swing set
- a new drawbridge
- multiple interactive play elements.
The play space:
- includes shade sails over the sand pit and water play areas
- is fully fenced and has access gates in two locations
- has additional park furniture
- includes wheelchair-accessible ramps and wider paths to as many parts of the new playground as possible.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in the Arboretum, but they must be on a lead at all times.
Wet weather
There's a pavilion for shelter if the weather turns rainy.
Parking
The Arboretum provides plenty of off-road parking on Dorset Road and on-street parking on Frances Crescent.
Opening hours
The Tim Neville Arboretum is open every day, during daylight hours.
History
The Arboretum was originally an apple orchard owned by the Dobson family.
Knox City Council took over the land in 1975, making the Arboretum its major project for the Bicentenary.
In 1993, the Arboretum was named after Tim Neville, who was Chief Executive of the City of Knox.
His vision inspired the creation of 'The People’s Park’.
'The People's Park'
The community has been fundamental to the Arboretum including:
- developing most pieces of artwork
- children and residents made tiles you can find through the reserve
- the community helped open the playground in 1996
- trees were donated by Knox families and businesses
- school children planted the trees and local companies donated materials.
- service clubs built the free BBQs.
Need help?
Contact us and we will come back to you.
Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.
