Melways Ref: 103 E3
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Studio Park is a flora and fauna reserve donated to public ownership by the late Nan McClelland. Directly abutting the McClelland Gallery, Studio Park contains remnant indigenous vegetation of regional significance. The many plants that flower attract a variety of birds and insects, making the park an excellent venue for bird watching, photography and nature appreciation. 

Flora
Studio Park possesses a good representation of indigenous remnant vegetation with numerous plant communities providing many wildlife habitats. Recent flora surveys identified a total of 106 plant species in the reserve which is dominated by tea-tree heath, riparian scrub and grassy low open woodland.

Vegetation consists of coastal tea-tree and banksia, various species of acacia, sheoaks, swamp melaleuca, cherry ballart, various members of the pea family, common heath, correa, Guinea flower, sundews, and numerous native orchids. Most of the orchids are very small and camouflaged, but once sighted many more are found due to their tendency to congregate. To date the gnat orchid, hyacinth orchid, spider orchid, donkey orchid, tiger orchid, Trim greenhood and nodding greenhood have been identified in the reserve. This is expected to increase with further survey work. There is also an abundance of the rough barked manna gum and the ever present bracken, which grows over a metre in favourable conditions. 

Fauna
Studio Park has an abundance of fauna, the majority being birds. Forty-six bird species have recently been identified in the reserve, seven of which are introduced species. Honeyeaters make up the majority, with eastern rosellas, sulfur crested cockatoos, native pigeons, whip-birds, bell-birds and on occasion, blue wrens. Southern kookaburra has also been predominant in recent years. Ten species of mammals have been recorded, these being the bat, brushtail possum, ringtail possum, short-beaked echidna, swamp rat, the introduced black rat, cat, dog, fox, house mouse and rabbit. Blotched blue tongue lizards are common along with the brown snake and the eastern three-lined skink. Numerous other snakes have been observed in the past, including the red bellied black snake, black snake, tiger snake and copperhead snake.

Management Issues
Environmental weeds are an ongoing problem in the area with sallow wattle, blackberry, boneseed and pine providing management with a constant problem. Many of these weeds originate from abutting properties. Introduced mammals such as cats, dogs and foxes threaten the existence of native fauna in the reserve by directly competing for habitat and preying on individuals. The square shape of the reserve minimises problems caused by edge effect and additional remnant bushland on the northern and western boundaries give the reserve great potential as a significant corridor. 

Caring for the Reserve
Frankston City Council maintains the reserve with assistance from the Studio Park Committee of Management. Working bees are organised twice yearly where minor maintenance such as litter control, weed removal and minor track maintenance, are carried out. Fire prevention work is carried out in conjunction with the local Country Fire Authority. 

How You Can Help
Consider removing environmental weeds from your garden as birds can spread their seeds for many kilometres. If you own a pet make sure it doesn't stray into the reserve. Please stick to the formal track network and encourage others to do the same. Avoid dumping  rubbish or garden clippings in the reserve. Please contact Frankston City Council's Local Laws Unit on 1300 322 322 if you see anyone doing so.

Join the Studio Park Committee of Management and participate in their activities. For details contact Council's Environment Department on 1300 322 322. 

History
Studio Park is about 20 acres, and is part of a 40 acre parcel of land bequested in the will of the late Miss Nan McClelland, who died in 1961. The McClelland Gallery, which opened in 1971 sits on 20 acres. The remaining 20 acres were donated to the then Shire of Cranbourne in a Deed of Trust dated 6 August 1969 for the purposes of recreation. It came under control of the new Frankston City Council after local government amalgamations in December 1994. 

Facilities and Activities                                                                                       A network of seats, walking tracks and bridges have been established in the reserve. Passive recreation activities such as walking, bird observing, plant identification, photography and nature appreciation are encouraged. 

Special Features
Being situated immediately next to the McClelland Gallery, it enables visitors to combine both natural and cultural heritage in one exciting visit. An urban occurrence of coral fern can be found in the park which has been fenced off by cyclone wire for protection.

Location and Access

The reserve is located in Langwarrin behind the McClelland Gallery. Parking is available on Sycamore Street. Access to the reserve is via the right of way directly opposite Poplar Grove. There are no other formal car parking areas or access points to the reserve.