LESLIE STREET, RANGEVILLE
J.E. Duggan Park is an eight-hectare bushland reserve, tucked away behind a residential area at the southern end of the Toowoomba escarpment. Designated as a eucalypt forest regeneration site, J.E. Duggan Park features a carefully-maintained network of short trails that are accessible for walkers with a visual impairment, as well as wheelchair/pram users. A steeper trail around the edge of the park provides a greater challenge, and the main lookout offers gorgeous views out over the Lockyer Valley.
About The Name... John Edmund Duggan (known as Jack) was a successful Toowoomba businessman and politician of the mid-20th century. While he is best remembered for his tenure as Queensland's Transport Minister and Deputy Premier in the 1940's-50's, his greatest contribution to our local community was in raising the funds to construct the beautiful Cressbrook Dam, which he achieved with his fellow council members under the leadership of Toowoomba's first female mayor, Nell Robinson.
BUSHWALKING GUIDE
| Wallaby Walk | Sensory Walk | Link Walk | Squirrel Glider Circuit |
Grade |  very easy | very easy |  easy |  moderate |
Distance | 250m | 270m | 125m | 1.2km |
Trail Type | one way | one way | one way | loop |
Walking Time | 10min | 5min | 5min | 30min |
Amenities/Suitable For:
Location & Parking:
J.E. Duggan Park is located at the southern end of Leslie Street in Rangeville, opposite the Leslie Park playground.
A parking area (compacted dirt) is provided on the footpath at the entrance to the reserve, which has a wide pedestrian gate for easy wheelchair access.
All trails are accessed from the upgraded picnic area (featuring wheelchair-accessible toilets, multiple picnic areas and BBQ facilities) via a level, compacted gravel pathway.
Walk 1: Combined Very Easy Walks - Wallaby/Sensory/Link
For park users with a wheelchair, pram or vision impairment, I recommend this simple yet satisfying loop, which takes approximately 20 minutes in total. All intersections are signposted clearly.
Starting from the picnic area, take Wallaby Walk, which follows on from the gravel path at the park's entrance. This trail has several interpretive signs that include braille notation, overtaking areas for wheelchairs, and a shady nook with a bench seat that is the perfect spot for listening to birds (Flagstone Lookout).
Ignore the Link Walk intersection, and continue straight ahead along Wallaby Walk until you reach Lockyer Lookout, which has another seating area where you can enjoy the stunning view of Meewah/Tabletop Mountain.
Double back to the Link Walk intersection and take the branch to your right, which will lead you to the start of the Sensory Walk. (It is possible to reach the Sensory Walk via a gravelled section of the Squirrel Glider Circuit, however this includes a slight rise that may be challenging for carers pushing a heavy wheelchair.)
Follow the Sensory Walk all the way back to the picnic area. The trail has a compacted dirt surface that is suitable for wheelchairs. It also has a guide-rope to assist people with a vision impairment as they navigate through the various textures, smells and sounds of the forest. (Note: Bikes are not permitted on this path).
Walk 2: Squirrel Glider Circuit
This walk follows the boundary line of the reserve, which backs onto several residential properties. While most of this walk is easy (Grade 2) it includes a few steep sections (Grade 3) that are unsuitable for wheelchairs/prams. Complete this walk in an anti-clockwise direction to make it easier on the hills.
Starting from the picnic area, take the wide, dirt trail on your right, clearly signposted as Squirrel Glider Circuit. This leads immediately down a steep hill, which can have a loose, slippery surface.
Take note of the interesting rock formations in the dry eucalypt forest to your left, and continue on as the path curves to the left and kicks sharply uphill, following the eastern boundary of the park. (Note the size of the luxury homes that back onto the reserve!) This section is more exposed to the sun, so remember to wear a hat for comfort.
Ignore the Link Walk path to your left, and continue straight ahead until you reach the northern end of the park, where the trail climbs briefly but steeply to meet up with the Lockyer Lookout.
Return to the Sugar Glider Circuit (the trail is now gravelled), and when you reach the next intersection veer right to take the final, grassy leg of the track. The path is poorly defined here, but follows the edge of the reserve along a hedged fence-line until it turns left at Leslie Street and returns to the picnic area.
Discover More...
Have you been on this bushwalk? Contact me via email or Facebook to share your favourite aspects of the trail, or suggest an update to this page.
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