Birrarung Marr, Melbourne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Birrarung Marr |
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Pedestrian bridge in Birrarung Marr
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Area | 8 ha (20 acres) |
| Operated by | City of Melbourne |
| Open | All year |
| Status | Open |
| Paths | Pedestrian and bicycle access throughout |
| Terrain | Floodplain with built-up terraces |
| Water | Yarra River |
| Vegetation | Contemporary formal gardening featuring Australian native plants |
| Connecting transport | Trains: Flinders Street station Trams: 3, 5, 6, 48, 64, 67, 70, 72, 75 Buses: 340 and 479 |
| Landmarks | Speaker's Corner, William Barak Bridge, ArtPlay, Federation Bells, Angel sculpture |
| Facilities | Toilets, barbecues, playground, Drinking Fountains, |
Birrarung Marr is a cool park right in the middle of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It sits between the city center and the Yarra River. The park first opened its gates in 2002.
Its name, Birrarung Marr, comes from the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. They were the original Indigenous people living in the Melbourne area. "Birrarung" means 'river of mists' and "Marr" means 'bank' or 'side of the river'. So, the park's name means "beside the river of mists."
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Where is Birrarung Marr?
This awesome 8-hectare park is just south-east of Melbourne's main city area. It's located between Flinders Street and the north bank of the Yarra River. You can find it east of Flinders Street station and west of Rod Laver Arena. It's a super easy place to get to!
A Look at the Park's History
For a long time, the land where Birrarung Marr now stands was a marshy area. In 1856, the government wanted to turn it into a park. But over the years, many other things were built there. These included a morgue and even an old swimming center.
Trains started crossing the area in 1859. Eventually, railways took up most of the land between the city and the Yarra River. Towards the end of the 1800s, the Yarra River itself was changed. It was made straighter, wider, and deeper. Tree-lined paths were also built along its banks.
How the Park Was Created
In 1992, the Victorian Government decided to improve central Melbourne. They held a big competition to design Federation Square. This project led to big changes in the area around Federation Square. Old railway yards were cleared away. A road called Batman Avenue was moved further from the river.
These changes freed up land from the old rail yards and roads. This allowed Melbourne to create its first major new inner-city park in 100 years!
Building Birrarung Marr started in 2000. The City of Melbourne and the State Government of Victoria worked together. The City of Melbourne spent A$15.6 million to design and build the park. The State Government paid for moving the railways and clearing the land. The park officially opened on Australia Day, January 26, 2002.
The Park's Design and Layout
When they first planned Birrarung Marr, some people wanted it to be a "festival park." This meant it would mostly host big events like the Australian Grand Prix. But the City of Melbourne wanted it to be a place for everyone. They wanted it to be a social spot for families and communities.
So, Birrarung Marr was designed as an active, city space. It's a strong place for events like Circus Oz and the Moomba Waterfest. It also hosts changing art shows and community festivals. At other times, it's a lovely place for relaxing. The park also connects the city center to the sports areas nearby. It's part of the Capital City Trail for bikes along the Yarra River.
The park is built on a series of flat, open areas called terraces.
- The lower terrace is right next to the river and has a gravel surface.
- The middle terrace is on the east side, next to Batman Avenue, and is covered in grass.
- The upper terrace is on the north side, at the same level as Flinders Street. It's about 10 meters above the river bank.
These huge terraces were made using dirt from nearby railway and building projects. Big basalt rocks from these digs were also used to build walls in the park.
The park's layout helps you see famous Melbourne landmarks. You can spot the spires of the Victorian Arts Centre and St Paul's Cathedral. The design of the terraces and drainage channels reminds people of the old billabongs (waterholes) that used to be here. The paths and bridges also hint at the railways that once filled this area. Even though it's near busy roads, the park feels surprisingly quiet and peaceful.
The main designers for Birrarung Marr were Ronald Jones and Helena Piha. They were landscape architects for the City of Melbourne. Their design has won several awards for its clever urban planning.
Fun Features and Facilities
Walking and Cycling Paths
A long, sloping footbridge inside the park connects the three different terrace levels. This bridge makes it easy for everyone to move around, including people with disabilities. The Yarra River Trail also runs through the park on its south side, perfect for walking and cycling.
Speaker's Corner
In the south-eastern part of Birrarung Marr, you'll find Speaker's Corner. This spot has a long history as a place for public speeches and protests. For example, in 1916, about 50,000 people gathered here to protest against conscription. It was one of the few places in Melbourne where large groups could gather and speak without needing a special permit. You can still see the small mounds where speakers used to stand to address the crowds.
Play and Relaxation
The park has barbecue facilities, which are great for family picnics. There are also public Toilets near Speakers Corner.
One of the old railway buildings was turned into a children's art center called ArtPlay. ArtPlay opened in 2004. It offers workshops where kids and families can create art with different artists. ArtPlay is open on weekends and during school holidays. A children's playground is right next to ArtPlay, and workshops often use this outdoor space too.
The Federation Bells
On the middle terrace, you'll find the amazing Federation Bells. These are a collection of 39 upside-down bells of different sizes. They range from tiny (half a kilogram) to huge (1.2 tonnes!). The bells are mounted on steel poles, spread out so you can walk among them.
A computer controls the bells, playing a wide range of songs. Some songs are specially written, and others are submitted by the public. This unique sound sculpture plays three times a day. You can even compose your own music for the bells online!
Art in the Park
The park is also home to a ten-meter-high, three-legged sculpture called Angel. This artwork was created by Melbourne mosaic artist Deborah Halpern. It was installed along the river bank in 2006.
William Barak Bridge
The William Barak Bridge opened in December 2005. It was built for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. This bridge lets people walk from the middle terrace of Birrarung Marr over roads and railways. It connects the park to places like the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Plants and Trees in Birrarung Marr
Besides the old elm trees along the river, about 200 new trees were planted when the park was built. Many of these new plants are Australian native species. For example, there's a large group of Macrozamia communis (cycads) on the bank near Speakers Corner. You can also see Doryanthes excelsa (gymea lilies) and Lepidozamia peroffskyana (pineapple zamia).
Hundreds of smaller Australian native plants are also growing in the park. More trees are planned for the upper and middle terraces to provide more shade and shelter.
Name Origin
The name Birrarung Marr comes from the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. It means "beside the river." This name was chosen for the park after its design was approved.
Gallery
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River of Mists & River Bank Architecture Design in Birrarung Marr parkland
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Deborah Halpern Art Sculpture in Birrarung Marr parkland
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Deborah Halpern Art Sculpture & City Skyline seen from Birrarung Marr parkland
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Yarra River flows along the northbank and Birrarung Marr parkland
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Eel Trap by Fiona Clarke and Ken McKean
