Central Murray Sunrise Rotary has a vision to transform Kennedy Park in central Yarrawonga into a stunning Botanic Gardens.
Once a beloved green space with charming ponds and bridges, Kennedy Park in central Yarrawonga has lost some of its sparkle over the years, but now a bold new plan promises to restore its beauty and create a space for generations to come.
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Central Murray Sunrise Rotary is planning to bring this vision to life by transforming Kennedy Park into a stunning Botanic Gardens, a living legacy for nature, learning, and community connection in Yarrawonga.
Imagine a place where children can explore winding garden paths, birdsong fills the air, families gather in peaceful, leafy spaces, and elderly residents can enjoy safe, shaded areas to relax and connect with nature.
Kennedy Park has been part of Yarrawonga’s story for decades; a green pocket where families once wandered over little bridges and paused beside shaded ponds.
Central Murray Sunrise Rotary is leading the early planning, but even in the preliminary stages, the project has captured community interest.
Club president, Leonie Orr says the focus is on long-term benefits.
"The gardens will be long in the making before they are mature, but they are something we can leave for the younger and future generations," Leonie said.
"Kennedy Park is central, walkable, and perfectly placed to evolve into a living space that welcomes everyone.”
As planning progresses, the Rotary Club will reach out to 32 local organisations for endorsement and support.
A steering group will bring environmental knowledge, educational experience, historical insight, and local passion to a project that offers environmental, health, social benefits, shade, increased birdlife, improved biodiversity, carbon absorption, and peaceful spaces for reflection.
Rotarians Leonie Orr and Ed Rowlands at Kennedy Park in central Yarrawonga.
Rotarian Ed Rowlands said the impact goes beyond the plants themselves.
"Older generations would greatly benefit from the Botanic Gardens with safe and easy access, especially from residential care," he said.
"Nature plays a big role in wellbeing, especially later in life, and children will benefit too.
“With labelled plants, interactive garden trails, and school involvement, the gardens could become a living classroom where students learn about history, biodiversity, and environmental care first-hand.”
The Rotary Club has consulted with Victorian and Australian Botanic Garden associations and Moira Shire’s environmental officers.
Leonie said that during a recent briefing, Moira Shire’s chair administrator Graeme Emonson and administrator Susan Benedyka encouraged the club to continue planning, recognising the project’s long-term potential for Yarrawonga.
"Restoring the park and establishing gardens will be an investment for the future and a source of pride and enjoyment," she said.
"With community support, the gardens could eventually extend beyond Kennedy Park, across Witt Street and through Sullivans Folly to the Foreshore.”
Community voices will shape the next steps, but for now, Rotary is seeking endorsement, not funding; the shared belief that Yarrawonga values the project.
Once supported, detailed plans will follow with a staged development, planting schedules, water and shade considerations, signage, seating, and volunteer involvement.
If nurtured, Kennedy Park’s Botanic Gardens could bloom into a space that honours the past and gifts something enduring for the future; a green heart for Yarrawonga where everyone can gather, learn, and connect.
