Friends of Onkaparinga Park Inc. (FOOP)

The Onkaparinga National Park and the Onkaparinga Recreation parks straddle the Onkaparinga river from just below Clarendon to Port Noarlunga. Come join us as we help maintain the parks with either the stunning Onkaparinga Gorge or wetlands in estuary as a backdrop. New members always welcome.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for Friends of Onkaparinga Park newsletter, brochure, membership form & other documents. Contact details on this page also.

The Friends of Onkaparinga Park was formed in 1986 and provides voluntary assistance in the Onkaparinga River National Park and the Onkaparinga River Recreation Park. Our present membership of over 100 individuals includes people of all ages and from all walks of life.

We have a yearly program which includes:

• General meetings with guest speakers
• Working B's (weekdays and weekends) - weed control, erosion control, seed collecting,, walking trail maintenance and revegetation.
• Scientific research including a study of native flora and fauna.
• Researching the history and heritage of the Park.
• Social activities ‑ walks, visits to other parks etc.
• Community involvement with Park of the Month events.
• Fundraising and publicity.

Meetings and activities are free and members of the public are most welcome.

Project Outline

The Friends of Onkaparinga Park's Project, Vision, Dreams and Aspirations are to Protect, Restore, Enhance and Promote the Onkaparinga River National Park & the Onkaparinga River Recreation Park for the benefit of local communities and future generations.

Over the years we have been involved in a number of projects.

• FOOTBRIDGE: ‑ The Friends of Onkaparinga Park contributed to South Australia's National Parks Centenary year (1991) by raising funds to build a footbridge over the Onkaparinga River at Old Noarlunga
• REVEGETATION:
• Sundews area:‑ over 10 year period, in excess of $ 100,000 tube stock (trees, shrubs, ground cover, grasses etc) has been planted in an area of about 50 hectares.
• Wetland No 1 ‑ 10,000 tube stock planted
• Direct seeding ‑approx. 10 hectares per year since 1992.
• All SEED used is collected by Friends of Onkaparinga Park, tube stock grown, cared for and planted by the group.
• Cost of spraying and direct seeding met by Friends of Onkaparinga Park.
• WALKING TRAILS at Gates 11, 12, 13, Hardy’s Scrub & Old Noarlunga put in by Friends of Onkaparinga Park.

The Friends of Onkaparinga Park 'have also been actively involved with:

• Bird lists,
• Community groups
• Frog watch
• School groups
• Producing maps of the Park
• Newsletter
• The "Friends" have had representation on the Friends of Parks Inc. Board and Friends of Parks Gift Fund committee.
• The "Friends" made a major contribution in submissions to the Draft Management Plan for the Onkaparinga Park. Over 160 submission were made to the NPWS (now DEWNR).
• Vegetation surveys

Friends of Onkaparinga Park endeavor to share their knowledge of the Park with others.

Links for Park Information:

https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/Fleurieu_Peninsula/onkaparinga-river-national-park

https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/Fleurieu_Peninsula/onkaparinga-river-recreation-park

Scroll to the bottom of this page for Friends of Onkaparinga Park newsletter, brochure & other information.