It is just over 2 kilometres from Darebin Rd to Ceres and it makes for a delightful urban walk. There are several roads that can be taken but the most direct route is via High St and Beavers Rd. Today I walked down Beaconsfield Rd where I came across this flock of Bird of Paradise.

Eventually though you need to get onto Beavers Rd as it leads to this bridge across the Merri Creek. To the right of the bridge is the Northcote Golf Course.

The Merri Creek trail runs under this bridge. To access the ‘back door’ to Ceres from the bridge turn to the right and then do a U turn onto the Merri Creek trail to walk back under the bridge.

Just a few metres past the bridge the path to Ceres branches off to the right to enter through these ‘totem poles’.

and into a bygone era.

Ceres is a 4.5 hectare site that began its life as a bluestone quarry. In later years it was used as landfill for household and construction items. In 1982 at the suggestion of locals it became an area to grow vegetables and to make compost. Soon schools were using the site to learn about green technology, recycling and organic farming and the Merri Creek that had become polluted was now becoming clean.

There are many community gardens within Ceres but there is a lot more to it than that. Just to name a few there are educational walking groups, a bee group, a chook group, a bike shed, an organic grocery and a café that is open for breakfast and lunch.

There is also an extensive nursery where there is a huge variety of seedlings and plants. Pots, bags of potting mix and worm farms are among the many extra items also for sale.

The nursery specializes in permaculture, natives and bush food.

There is a huge array of in season vegetables. Today I bought carrot, leek, capsicum and chili seedlings.

A large variety of seating is available throughout the grounds. It is not just a place to wander but also a meeting place.

Ceres has been established as a charity with the principal purpose of protecting and
enhancing the natural environment by providing education and information. Ceres Community Environment Park, Cnr Roberts and Stewart Sts, Brunswick East.