Central Park, Armidale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Central Park, Armidale |
|
|---|---|
An aerial view of Armidale, with Central Park located in the centre background
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | 125 Dangar Street, Armidale, Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Created | 1874–1890 |
| Designer |
|
| Operated by | Armidale Regional Council |
| Status | Open all year |
| Official name: Central Park; Reserve No.8; Armidale Park | |
| Type: | State heritage (landscape) |
| Designated: | 19 December 2018 |
| Reference #: | 2019 |
| Type: | Urban Park |
| Category: | Parks, Gardens and Trees |
| Builders: | Richard Moffatt (rotunda) |
Central Park in Armidale is a special public park with a long history. It's located at 125 Dangar Street in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. The park was designed by several people, including Brother Francis Gatti, and built between 1874 and 1890. It's also known as Reserve No. 8 or Armidale Park. This park was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 19 December 2018, meaning it's officially recognized as an important historical place.
Contents
How Central Park Began
The Land's First People
Armidale is on the traditional lands of the Anaiwan people. European settlers arrived in the 1830s. Over time, many Aboriginal people in the New England area were moved to special reserves and missions.
Creating the Park
Early Days of the Park
The plan for Armidale town was made in 1846. It included four special areas, and one of them, Reserve No. 8, was meant to be a park. This idea came from a growing interest in public parks, like those in the UK. These parks were created to give people "breathing space" as towns grew bigger.
Armidale Municipal Council officially set aside the land for public recreation on 24 February 1874. At first, the park was mostly natural. In the mid-1870s, it was cleared and fenced. A sundial and a cricket pitch were added. But locals still let their animals graze there, and some even called it "Dismal Park"! The park was officially announced to the public on 31 May 1887.
Expert Advice for Planting
In 1878, Charles Moore, who was the Director of the Royal Botanic Garden for many years, was asked for advice on what trees to plant. Moore was a top expert in plants and landscape design in New South Wales. He sent suitable trees from the State Nursery, but they died because they weren't looked after.
Things changed in 1879 when Samuel Purchase gave the Council 36 "very fine young trees." These trees were protected from animals and damage. The Council didn't appoint official park managers until 1882, possibly because government money for parks became available.
Brother Francis Gatti's Help
A big change happened in 1882 when Brother Francis Gatti, a monk from Italy, offered to help. He was connected to the nearby Catholic Cathedral. Brother Gatti had a farming background and loved plants. He went to Sydney to choose 400 trees for the park.
With Brother Gatti's hard work and the Council's help, the park became a beautiful place. Gas lamps were installed in 1885, partly because of his efforts. He also looked after the Catholic cemetery and the Cathedral gardens. Brother Gatti worked hard to stop vandalism and asked the Council to ban public meetings in the park. His efforts helped inspire the creation of other gardens in Armidale.
Brother Gatti designed the park's layout by 1884. It had diagonal gravel paths connecting the four corners, with a circular path in the middle. Other paths around the edges were lined with plants, like avenues. The grassy areas inside had groups of ornamental plants.
After Brother Gatti passed away in 1891, people wanted to build a memorial for him in the park. Instead, a chapel was built near his grave in the Armidale cemetery in 1892.
Central Park's Memorials
By 1890, Reserve No. 8 was known as Armidale Park. By 1892, it was called Central Park to tell it apart from other parks. It became a popular spot for public gatherings and performances. Many important buildings were built around the park.
The Band Rotunda
In 1900, people decided to build a band rotunda (a round building for music) in the park. This was to remember local volunteers from the South African (Boer) War. The Council agreed, but wanted it built a bit further south, not right in the middle. They thought the center should be for a more formal monument.
The rotunda was officially opened on St. Patrick's Day in 1902. It was designed by William Henderson Lee and built by Richard Moffatt. It had a decorative fence around it.
Dr. William Murray Fountain
In 1902, another memorial was added: a fountain made of pink granite. This was to remember Dr. William Murray, a respected local doctor and former Mayor.
Great War Memorial Fountain
After World War I, people wanted to build a memorial fountain in the park with the names of local volunteers. The Council approved placing this fountain at the park's central crossing. It was designed by L.C. McCredie and built by W.G. Partridge.
The fountain, made of grey granite, was officially opened on 21 October 1922. This date was the 117th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, a famous naval battle. The Governor of New South Wales, Sir Walter Davidson, unveiled the memorial. The King's Colour (a special flag) of the 33rd Battalion A.I.F. was displayed, as most local volunteers had served in this army unit.
The design of this memorial was quite different from other ideas, which included a clock tower or a library. Some people even thought it looked "unsightly." In 1924, three captured guns were placed in the park, but they were later removed in 1949.
Park Improvements Over Time
In 1912, dead trees were replaced, the central area was fenced, and seating was added. New gates were installed the next year.
In 1925, the park's gas lights were replaced with electric lamps. By this time, Central Park was seen as a showpiece of the city. During the 1920s, the park was a place for public meetings about the New England New State Movement, which aimed to create a new state with Armidale as its capital.
During the Great Depression, the Council received funding to improve the park. Between 1929 and 1934, some old trees were removed, but others were kept for shade. In 1936, the old fence was replaced with a grass border. In 1938, a brick ladies' restroom was built.
When Japan entered World War II, people worried about air raids. School children helped dig trenches in the park's grassy areas as a safety measure.
In 1950, concrete edges were added around the park. A dedicated gardener was hired the next year. In 1954, the park was in such good condition that the Council thought about renaming it "Windsor Park" to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's visit.
Trees and Plants
After the war, botanists from the University of New England became interested in Central Park's pine trees. They identified different tree species. In 1967, a botany lecturer said that "Central Park represents one of the finest collections of conifers in Rural NSW." This led to a plan to put nameplates on each tree. Dr. Lionel Gilbert, a well-known botanical scholar, also noticed the park's plants.
In 1956, an avenue of trees was planted to mark 100 years of self-government in New South Wales. A plaque was unveiled in 1963 to identify this avenue.
In 1959, the cypress trees around the Great War memorial fountain were removed.
Other Additions and Changes
In 1959, the Armidale Tourist Bureau suggested adding a map for tourists. A detailed model of Armidale was completed in 1966, but it was removed in 2017.
By the early 1960s, there was a high demand for parking in the city. The Council considered removing plants along the park's edges for parking, but public opposition stopped this plan. However, in 1962, a barrier was added on Tingcombe Street to prevent cars from parking directly in the park.
In 1965, a stone birdbath was installed to remember Rev. Reginald Arthur Harris, an animal lover.
In 1968, a Christmas Crib was built for an annual display of carved nativity figures. This display still happens every December.
In 1970, a men's restroom was built, and it was updated in 2017 to better fit the park's look.
On 3 December 1988, a memorial was dedicated to HMAS Armidale, a Royal Australian Navy ship that was sunk by Japanese aircraft in 1942. This brick memorial looks like a ship with portholes and a flagstaff shaped like a cross. In 2018, it was moved closer to the memorial fountain.
In 1999, the park's size was slightly reduced when a roundabout was built at the corner of Barney and Dangar Streets.
In 2000, a memorial to Brother Francis Gatti was built near the Great War memorial fountain. It's a short granite pillar with a plaque that says, "if you seek his monument, look about you." One of the park's paths is now called "Brother Gatti Walk."
In 2012, a National Service Memorial was built, with a tiled brick base and a granite stone holding a plaque.
Today, Central Park has a great collection of cool-climate trees. These include different types of pines, cedars, firs, and Bunya pines. It also has oak trees, European elms, and ashes. Some trees, like the Lucombe oak and Southern live oak, are very rare in Australia. These tall, old trees give the park a grand and dignified feel.
The former Armidale Dumaresq Council asked for Central Park to be listed on the NSW State Heritage Register, which happened in December 2018.
What Central Park Looks Like
Central Park is located near the historic center of Armidale. It's surrounded by Dangar, Barney, and Faulkner Streets, and Tingcombe Lane. It's a formal park from the High Victorian period, meaning it has clear design elements like formal garden beds, straight paths, and balanced layouts. The park is about 2 hectares (5 acres) in size and slopes gently.
It's filled with tall, mature conifer and deciduous trees, which make it visible from far away. The park's design includes diagonal paths, which used to be gravel but are now concrete. These paths meet at the war memorial fountain and its garden. There are also flower beds and shaped shrubs.
The war memorial fountain (built 1922) remembers World War I. Around it are smaller stones and plaques for those who served in later conflicts, especially World War II. The park also has a band rotunda (built 1902) that remembers the South African (Boer) War, with two Mediterranean cypress trees nearby. A third memorial (built 1988) remembers HMAS Armidale, a Royal Australian Navy warship. Central Park adds a lot to the look of the nearby town, which includes important church buildings. There is also an old park bench from 1928.
Central Park has a wonderful collection of trees, many from the State Nursery at Campbelltown. These include conifers and trees that lose their leaves (deciduous) or keep them all year (evergreen). Old shade trees from the 1880s and early 1900s include Canary Island pines, huge cypresses, Chinese weeping cypresses, Bhutan Cypresses, Douglas firs, English oaks, holly oaks, cork oaks, European elms, and cedars. These trees shade the beautiful lawns. Some trees, like the Lucombe oak and two Southern live oaks, are very rare in Australia.
Important historic buildings face Central Park, such as St Peter's Cathedral and Saints Mary and Joseph Catholic Cathedral, along with other notable religious and residential buildings.
Park Condition
As of January 2018, the park and its features are in good condition. This is because of regular care and the recognition of how important the park is to the city.
Changes Over the Years
Here are some of the changes made to Central Park:
- 1849: Reserve No. 8 is included in the Armidale town plan.
- 1874: Reserve No. 8 is officially set aside for public use.
- 1879: Trees from Somerset Nursery are planted.
- 1882: Park managers are appointed; Brother Francis Gatti starts working on the park.
- 1884: The park's basic layout is finished.
- 1885: Gas lamps are installed in the park's center.
- 1890: Reserve No. 8 becomes known as Armidale Park.
- 1891: Brother Francis Gatti passes away.
- 1892: The park is named Central Park.
- 1902: The Dr. William Murray memorial, with two Mediterranean cypresses, is built.
- 1902: The South African War (Boer War) memorial band rotunda opens.
- 1912: Dead trees are replaced, the park's center is fenced, and seating is added.
- 1913: New park gates are installed.
- 1922: The Great War memorial fountain, surrounded by Mediterranean cypresses, is built.
- 1925: Electric lighting is installed.
- 1928: New outdoor seating is put in.
- 1942: Slit trenches are dug for air raid safety.
- 1950: Concrete edges are added around the park.
- 1956: An avenue of trees is planted along Tingcombe Street.
- 1959: The Mediterranean cypresses around the Great War memorial fountain are removed.
- 1962: A section of the park along Tingcombe Street is used for car parking.
- 1965: The Rev. Reginal Harris memorial fountain is built.
- 1966: A model map of Armidale is created.
- 1968: A Christmas Crib is built for annual use with carved figures.
- 1970: A men's restroom is built.
- 1988: The HMAS Armidale memorial is built.
- 1999: A roundabout is built at the corner of Barney and Dangar Streets.
- 2000: The Brother Francis Gatti memorial is built.
- 2012: The National Service Memorial is built.
- 2013: A diseased elm tree, likely from the 1880s, is removed.
- 2014: A diseased English oak is replaced with a new one.
- 2017: The men's restroom is updated. Two display structures and the contour map are removed.
Why Central Park is Important
As of June 2018, Central Park, Armidale, is very important to the heritage of New South Wales. It's a great example of a well-preserved Victorian-era park that has clearly shaped the look of Armidale. The park has a clear layout and key Victorian design features.
Central Park is also important because it's a central point for many significant church, club, and residential buildings, some of which are also heritage-listed. The park's band rotunda is special because it's the only one in New South Wales (and possibly Australia) built only to remember the South African War. Similarly, its Great War memorial fountain is the only one in New South Wales (and possibly Australia) built only to remember that conflict.
Central Park is also important for its trees. It has trees that are rare in Australia and one of the best collections of conifers in regional New South Wales, making it a key place for studying these trees. The park also has a local connection to Charles Moore, a former Director of the Botanic Garden, Sydney, and Dr. Lionel Gilbert, a well-known plant expert. It can also teach us about how regional communities in New South Wales worked with big city plant nurseries in the 1800s.
Central Park was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 19 December 2018 because it met several important criteria:
- It shows the history of New South Wales: Central Park is a very well-preserved Victorian park that has clearly influenced how Armidale developed, especially by being a focus for important civic buildings.
- It's linked to important people: It has strong connections to Charles Moore, who was the Director of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, and Dr. Lionel Gilbert, a famous plant scholar.
- It shows great design: Central Park has a well-preserved layout and key Victorian design elements. It acts as Armidale's main town square because of its interaction with the important church buildings nearby.
- It can teach us more: The park can provide information about how regional communities in New South Wales worked with large city plant nurseries in the 1800s.
- It has rare features: Central Park has one of the best collections of conifers in regional New South Wales. It also has rare trees like the Lucombe oak and Southern live oak. Its two war memorials (the band rotunda for the South African War and the fountain for the Great War) are unique in New South Wales and possibly Australia.
- It's a great example of its type: Central Park is an excellent example of a well-preserved Victorian formal town park. It shows many key features of this type of park and has a special relationship with the important buildings around it.
