Taylors Lakes: Eel Dance, Play and Nature

At The Lakes Reserve, Taylors Lakes brings together art and hands-on play: Eel Dance puts the little-known short-finned eels in the spotlight, and the playground features a fish-like structure. The wider Taylors Creek Valley adds a local perspective with wetlands, diverse birdlife and native vegetation.

Eel Dance: an eel in changing light

At The Lakes Reserve stands Eel Dance, a stainless steel sculpture by local artist Dave Jones. Its subject is the little-known short-finned eel; at the same time, the work celebrates the lake’s vibrant ecosystem. The sculpture thus links an animal motif with the habitat it aims to draw attention to.

By day, the stainless steel reflects sunlight. At night, solar-powered neon lights illuminate the area, and their reflections on the water make the eels appear to swim beneath the surface. This changes the motif’s effect between day and night, while its connection to the eels and the lake remains.

Play and movement at The Lakes Reserve

The playground in the reserve has a fish-like play structure. It was renewed in 2019 and provides an accessible, playful route to the Canopy Tree Tower. The fish motif thus brings into play the same theme that Eel Dance takes up in the sculpture.

A standalone public Hot Shots tennis court in the reserve was described in 2021 as smaller than a standard tennis court, with lower nets. It is particularly suitable for children under ten. The playground and tennis court offer different features: a fish-shaped play structure on one hand, and a smaller version of tennis on the other.

The Taylors Creek Recreational Trail passes through The Lakes Reserve and then continues through other parts of Taylors Lakes. The reserve section is therefore not the only part traversed by this trail: its route continues through the suburb.

Grassland and Taylors Creek

The Lakes Grassland is a grassland reserve in Taylors Lakes. It gives the community an opportunity to learn about the natural environment and cultural heritage. Alongside art and play, the landscape and learning are also part of what the area offers.

The natural area extends beyond Taylors Lakes in the wider destination of Brimbank City. Taylors Creek Valley encompasses wetlands and natural landscapes with diverse birdlife. The broader area around Taylors Creek also has native vegetation, River Red Gums several hundred years old and remnant grassland.

Cultural significance is also part of this wider context: Taylors Creek and the waterways in Brimbank were places for food, culture and gatherings for First Nations People. This history relates to the wider regional area, not just Taylors Lakes.

Another perspective on Brimbank City

The Brimbank Loop Walk offers another way to get to know the wider destination. The route is 3.5 kilometres long and takes about 1.5 hours. It follows the Maribyrnong River through the natural basin of Brimbank Park before climbing a steep slope. The approximate duration and distance provide a concrete guide for planning your time.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mt Waverley, Mont Albert, Lilydale, Narre Warren, Wheelers Hill, St Albans, Olinda, Glen Waverley

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