Field of Mars Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Field of Mars ReserveNew South Wales |
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 Field of Mars Reserve
Location in New South Wales
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| Nearest town or city | East Ryde |
| Established | 1979 |
| Area | 0.46 km2 (0.2 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Field of Mars Reserve |
The Field of Mars Reserve is a special protected area in Sydney, Australia. It's like a big natural park, also called a nature reserve. This reserve is about 50 hectares (that's like 123 football fields!) of natural bushland. It sits between the Lane Cove River and Parramatta River in a suburb called East Ryde. You can find it near other suburbs like Gladesville and Hunters Hill.
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About the Field of Mars Reserve
This reserve was officially made a wildlife refuge in 1979. This means it's a safe place for animals and plants. It has lots of different types of plants and animals. There's even a special center there that teaches people about the environment.
The reserve is next to the Field of Mars Cemetery. It's bordered by Strangers Creek to the north and Wellington Road to the south.
How the Reserve Got Its Name
The name "Field of Mars" was given by Governor Arthur Phillip way back in January 1792. He gave the first pieces of land in this area to two marines. Later, more land was added.
There are a few ideas about where the name came from:
- Some people think it's named after Mars, the Roman God of War. This would make sense because of the marines' service.
- Another idea is that it's named after the Campus Martius in Rome. This place also had military connections.
- A third idea is that it's named after the Champ de Mars in Paris, which also has military links.
The name was later used for the whole parish in the area. This name is still used today on land titles. The area was first known as the Field of Mars Common.
Bushfires and the Reserve
In 2002, a big bushfire called the Field of Mars Fires damaged part of the reserve. Bushfires can be very harmful to natural areas.
Marsfield Suburb Connection
The Sydney suburb of Marsfield got its name from this reserve. It's a way to remember the historical name of the area.
