The Maze Park

Development of the Northcliffe Maze Park came about through a community meeting in August 2002 when the suggestion was made to plant a maze ‘somewhere’ in Northcliffe. A committee was formed and the site chosen was on the corner of a 2.0234 hectare block in the middle of Northcliffe and overgrown with Watsonia, Ti Tree and bracken fern.

The Shire of Manjimup owns the block and after meeting with the Shire CEO at the site, it was agreed the maze would have a better chance to go ahead if the entire block was developed. The committee decided to meet the challenge and so began the development of the Northcliffe Maze Park.

Public Consultations were carried out and meetings were held with the Shire, CALM, Environmental Protection and Landcare and flora and fauna surveys were done. A Project Plan was drawn up and presented to the Shire for permission to develop the park.

Permission was granted on the 15^th October 2003. The name of the park was officially changed to “Park Land and Recreation”. Busy bees began in earnest and in summer 2003/2004 5 tonne of Watsonia bulbs were removed from the proposed sites of the maze, snakes and ladders and mathematical game. Removal of Watsonia, Ti Tree and bracken fern is an on-going project.

Most of the work carried out at the park is by 52 energetic and very enthusiastic volunteers. Some volunteers who are unable to help physically in the park make cakes and scones for our stalls. Local contractors have been very supportive, donating their time and/or machinery for the heavier work.

Projects completed by the end of 2004 include the 2-way in/out road at the entrance of the park, parking bays for cars, a bus and the disabled, barbecue table and barbecue in situ, information bay, 280 Hebe plants form the maze, 3 finger mazes made by Yrs 2 & 3 students of Northcliffe District High School (NDHS) and a snakes and ladders game drawn by NDHS teachers and also painted by Yrs 2 & 3 students. A labyrinth was constructed and planted with mondo grass, much to the delight of local rabbits!

A proposed pathway, to be known as the Residents Ramble, will encircle the park with the aim of placing plaques of past and present residents of Northcliffe along the pathway, thus creating a recreational and nostalgic walk around the park. Funding from Lotterywest resulted in Stage 1 of the Residents Ramble being completed in early 2004.

The Opening of the park was held in conjunction with the Back-to-Northcliffe 80^th Anniversary Celebration, in October 2004. Years 2 & 3 students from Northcliffe District High School officially opened the park and their speeches and enthusiasm were a delight to see. Yr 10 students planted two trees near the barbecue site to commemorate the Opening.

80 plaques were on display and successful follow-up through media and newspapers resulted in 253 plaques being placed along the Residents Ramble in October 2006.  

This is an on-going project and all past and present residents of Northcliffe are invited to participate. A plaque costs $50 and application forms are available from the Secretary, Northcliffe Maze Park Inc. Northcliffe. WA 6262 or phone Alison 08 9776 6018. Email: ardaubney@westnet.com.au

We have been delighted with donations for raffles, quiz nights, stalls and New Years Eve dances from a wide range of individuals and businesses in Northcliffe, Pemberton and Manjimup. Their support is our greatest strength. Donations and sponsors from Northcliffe, Bunbury, Albany and Perth are also greatly appreciated and include Patios Online, Wesfarmers, D’orsogna, Woodside Petroleum and Landcare. Many thanks also to the Northcliffe Newsagency and General Store for donating the jarrah fence, valued at $4500, along the front of the park.

We have been successful with grants from the Volunteering and Community Capacity Building Grants Program, the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants, Landcare and Lotterywest.

The Northcliffe Maze Park committee aims to achieve an aesthetically pleasing park that encourages community participation in its development, management and recreational use while being mindful of environmental aspects. 

Work at the park has progressed at a rapid pace because of the enthusiasm of its wonderful volunteers. Take a stroll through the park and enjoy the natural bush-land and abundance of flora and fauna. Enjoy the entertaining and educational games throughout the park and finish with a barbecue in the picturesque and relaxing barbecue site, in the middle of Northcliffe, the place to be in the South West of Western Australia.  

July 2008: Years 9 & 10 students from NDHS are in the process of revamping the labyrinth and rabbit proofing the obviously delicious mondo grass. Students have also been involved in numerous projects at the park including helping set up the irrigation system in the maze, planting Weeping Bottlebrush, propagation of plants and weeding.

Thanks to a successful Lotterywest grant, the Residents Ramble now encircles the park and more plaques will be set along the pathway this year. A volunteer is in the process of making an implement to do the job as contractors require 200 plaques at a time. We want to be able to set the plaques as they are engraved. This is an on-going project and if you would like to include your family in this wonderful project, see details above.

A Native Garden has been constructed by volunteers behind the jarrah fence at the front of the park. We are starting small and, depending how it holds up in summer, will add another section each winter. Last summer was very dry and we lost six maze plants prior to installing a watering system.