Esplanade Reserve facts for kids
The Esplanade Reserve was once a special public park in Perth, Western Australia. It was located right between Perth Water (a part of the Swan River) and the city's main business area. People sometimes called it the "Perth foreshore" or "Perth waterfront." In April 2012, the government took over this public space. It became part of a new project called Elizabeth Quay, which changed the Perth waterfront.
The road next to this area is also called The Esplanade.
The reserve was created in 1880. It was built on land that was made by filling in parts of the Swan River. This happened between the William Street and Barrack Street jetties. Many nearby buildings, like hotels, used the name "Esplanade" to show they were connected to this important area.
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The Esplanade's Story
The northern edge of Perth Water, from Kings Park to The Causeway, has changed a lot over time. People added a lot of land to the original river shore. Many building projects in and around The Esplanade show how Perth has grown and changed.
Creating a Public Space
The Esplanade was developed in the 1870s. The goal was to create a place for city residents to enjoy outdoor activities. People had wanted a recreation area closer to the city center since at least 1864. An older park, Wellington Square, was too far away for most people.
Work on The Esplanade began around 1867-1868. Stones were placed in the river to mark where the new land would be. More work started in 1870. From 1870 to 1878, workers used mud from the river bottom to create the new land. They also used street sweepings for the fill.
A Gift to the City
In 1880, The Esplanade was given to the City of Perth. It was meant to be "for the inhabitants of Perth for recreation purposes forever." This meant it was a park for everyone to enjoy, always.
Since then, The Esplanade has been a place for many important events. These include celebrations, public protests, and national ceremonies.
Early Events and Features
The first big event on The Esplanade was the 1881 Intercolonial Exhibition. This was a large display of goods and ideas from different colonies. After this event, the first Perth City Baths were built in 1885. These baths were located at the end of The Esplanade Reserve.
The Perth Bowling Club opened its green in 1895. It was right across from the Esplanade Hotel. Pictures of the bowling green and players were often used to promote the hotel. Over the years, people suggested many different ideas for The Esplanade. Some even thought about building a new town hall there.
Nearby Places and Features
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