NEXT MERLYNSTON EVENTS

There are a number of excellent planters working on the path between Batman and Merlynston train stations in Coburg North.  Here are some ideas of those working on this section, but please get in touch with yours!

The Merlynston section of the Upfield bike path is pretty grim in patches. Some lovely shade trees, shrubs and native flowers are crucial, particularly in summer when the western sun is so nasty for cyclists and pedestrians. For plantings, I imagine it would work best if residents who live along the bike path could take ownership of different sections. It could be broken into the following sections going from south to north:

1. Batman station (at Gaffney Street) to Renown St.

2. Renown St

3. Back of Smith St (section between Renown St and Bakers Rd)

4. Bakers Rd to Shorts Rd (a: back of Ryland St b: Ararat Ave)

5. Shorts Rd to Plaisted St

6. Merlynston station (from Plaisted St to Boundary Rd)

A section of the Upfield path (looking south) between Gaffney + Renown at Batman station.

A section of the Upfield path (looking south) between Gaffney + Renown at Batman station.

1. Batman station (at Gaffney St) to Renown St, Coburg

Presently there are some nice established gums to the east of the path - but it would be great if future development of this site (currently Batman Market) incorporated A better bike path (at present the path is too narrow here) and greenery (keeping current gums + ideally new plantings between train line and east of bike path. There is only a small amount of space between the tracks and bike path at present and it is fenced - so perhaps smaller shrubs and flowers and leave trees to east of path? 

2. Renown St

Residents and council have done a great job planting along here over many years. Some residents have begun planting olive trees etc... half way along and there is a lovely, established fig tree also. Update: Check out Drew's sunflower patch! This stretch would benefit from mulch drops and regular weeding and perhaps more shrubs and flowers planted between established trees so weeds squeezed out. 

Looking north along Upfield path on Renown Street, Coburg North

Looking north along Upfield path on Renown Street, Coburg North

3. Back of Smith St, Coburg Norht (between Renown St and Bakers Rd)

The bike path between Renown and Bakers has also been planted out (many young trees have been planted in recent months) by the enterprising Emma, Vince and friends. Again, this stretch may need mulch drops and help with ongoing weeding. 

Upfield path between Renown & Bakers (back of houses on Smith St)

Upfield path between Renown & Bakers (back of houses on Smith St)

4A) Bakers Rd to Ararat Ave, Coburg North (back of Ryland St)

This is a nasty, barren stretch with no greenery anywhere. There is room on western side of tracks (adjacent to recently demolished Tontine factory) to plant trees. We've tried planting some natives on the east side of tracks in the small space between tracks and the bike path (see photo below - bit like small areas planted at Anstey station) but this area is very exposed and the soil either very, very clay or quite gravel-like. Some soil and structure improvement would be needed.

A couple of Sheokes-style natives (below) seem to have survived the winter - but not sure how they'll go over summer! 

A couple of Sheokes-style natives (below) seem to have survived the winter - but not sure how they'll go over summer! 

Many other small native shrubs planted this winter (2016) have died - either from getting too bogged in all the rain we've had - or because they may have been sprayed by maintenance staff from Metro, council or other? Not sure what could be done along here and wonder whether vines over arches / framework might be feasible, or planter boxes.  If your house backs onto the path here, get in touch! 

4B) Ararat Ave, Coburg North (from Spry St to Shorts Rd)

It would be good to do some more plantings (shrubs + flowers) at the southern end of Ararat Ave. I have planted about five trees so far. We would need to get rid of the couch grass, add loads of mulch - then plant some more shrubs + possibly trees (an appropriate distance from train tracks). 

Southern end of Ararat Avenue, Coburg North / Merlynston

Southern end of Ararat Avenue, Coburg North / Merlynston

Below is the middle section of Ararat Ave, which was planted out about 4 years ago. They took awhile to get going but with this wet winter seem to have hit their straps. We are lucky we have a line of established gums along Ararat. The vision for this street is to have lovely natives and wild flowers the whole way along - on the train line AND along all the nature strips (if residents are keen) similar to wildlife corridor Edwards St, Brunswick idea.

Successful plantings on Ararat Ave, Upfield line, Coburg North

Successful plantings on Ararat Ave, Upfield line, Coburg North

We've tended to rip out the couch, then put cardboard down, then used mulch from council mulch depot in Hadfield - then punched holes trough the cardboard for the plants. This seems to have helped keep the weeds / couch grass under control. A neighbour has also planted further north along the street. I've used tyres, initially to stop people parking on the plants (!) but I find they also help protect young plants from wind and extreme heat.

5. Shorts Rd to Plaisted St, Coburg North

There is no shading either side of the path although there appears to be an appropriate amount of vacant land either side (east of train tracks + on flood-way land bordering current Bay Ford site where there are plans to build an Aldi and storage facility). See pic below.

Looking north from near Ararat Ave to Merlynston station /Plaisted Street.

Looking north from near Ararat Ave to Merlynston station /Plaisted Street.

6. Merlynston Railway Station (from Plaisted Rd to Boundary Rd)

The station car park is very drab at present although there are a small number of shade trees. Cyclists have to leave the path and move onto the road from Plaisted and Bain Avenue. It would be great to develop the car parking areas in the future and integrate the bikes and greenery better. 

Below are three images of the Merlynston train station carpark (east of train line). Currently cyclists are diverted here onto the road. 

Looking north (above) at Merlynston station carpark (cyclists ride to right on road)

Looking north (above) at Merlynston station carpark (cyclists ride to right on road)

Looking south from entry to station, east side of tracks, Merlynston station.

Looking south from entry to station, east side of tracks, Merlynston station.

Southern end of Merlynston station carpark looking south, some established trees. You can just see the Upfield path to left of pic. 

Southern end of Merlynston station carpark looking south, some established trees. You can just see the Upfield path to left of pic.

 

Keen to help green the Upfield line north of Bell Street? Please get in touch and identify your area of interest ie) Merlynston or other.