Creyk Park
About
CREYK PARK is a reserve on Lilian Avenue, Kelmscott established as a playing field for football etc. On the eastern side periphery of the sports oval is some 2.2 ha of important remnant bushland recognised as a ‘Forrestfield Vegetation Complex Threatened Ecological Community’ – a community of species which was once common to the Swan Coastal Plain. Now as little as nine per cent remains and bushlands like Creyk Park are becoming threatened with extinction. The bushland is predominantly Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata), Candle Banksia/Biara (Banksia attenuata) and Flame Banksia (Banksia menziesii) woodland over a scattered understorey. The location and soil type (Yoganup Formation with a higher clay content than those of the Swan Coastal Plain) means also that from a botanical perspective, it represents an area at the eastern edge of the distribution of some coastal plain species such as Blue Tinsel Lily (Calectasia narragara) and the western edge of many scarp species which require the heavier scarp soils such as Camphor Myrtle (Babingtonia camphorosmae), Yellow-eyed Flame Pea (Chorizema dicksonii), Bloodroot (Haemodorum simplex), Narrow-fruited Hakea (Hakea stenocarpa), Pincushion Coneflower (Isopogon dubius), Rush-leaved Patersonia (Patersonia juncea), Synaphea (Synaphea petiolaris) and Thomasia foliosa.
Recently discovered in the bushland portion of the park is a newly described species of wasp (Podagritus stuartae); this species is unusual in being a bee-catching wasp. A further three species of Podagritus fly-catching wasps have been photographed in the bushland and await further scientific studies.
Parking is available in the carpark accessed either from Waltham Road or Kembla Street. The original 1974 pavilion was demolished in 2021 and a new one opened in February 2022. Walk around the edge of the oval to paths leading into the bushland.
As a result of early planting efforts, it is possible to find species not characteristic of the Forrestfield Vegetation Complex e.g. Baxter’s Kunzea (Kunzea baxteri). Close to the grassed area was once overrun with the weedy Victorian Teatree (Gaudium laevigatum), most of which has since been removed. Perennial Veldt Grass (Ehrharta calycina) is a major threat to this bushland community. Interpretive signs are displayed at the park and illustrate tracks to follow in order to reduce the spread of weeds and Dieback, and minimise the trampling of vegetation.
The site during the 1930s was mined for sand which was used in the construction of Canning Dam. The sand deposit here is part of an ancient beach line which once existed along the foot of the Darling Scarp. The abandoned sand pit when filled by winter rain became a popular swimming spot for local youngsters.
The park is named after the local Creyk family who resided in nearby Schruth Street, Kelmscott in recognition of the family’s achievements in the field of sport.
Location
More Information
http://www.armadale.wa.gov.au/important-bushland