Hyde Park, Sydney facts for kids

This article is about Hyde Park (disambiguation). For other uses, see Hyde Park, Sydney (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Hyde Park, Sydney
Avenue of Hill's weeping fig in Hyde Park
Type	Urban park
Location	Central business district ()
Nearest city	Sydney, New South Wales
Area	16.2 hectares (40 acres)
Authorized	2 November 1810 (1810-11-02)
Etymology	Hyde Park, London
Owned by	Sydney City Council
Open	24 hours
Status	Open all year
Parking	The Domain Car Parking Station
Connecting transport	: /: St James or Museum; or : Central : Circular Quay : Routes #303; #320; #422; #461 : Town Hall or QVB

New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Hyde Park; Sydney Common; Government Domain; The Common; The Exercising Ground; Cricket Ground; Racecourse
Type	State heritage (landscape)
Criteria	a., b., c., d., f., g.
Designated	13 December 2011
Reference no.	1871
Type	Urban Park
Category	Parks, Gardens and Trees

Hyde Park in Sydney is a large urban park. It covers about 16.2 hectares (40 acres). You can find it right in the middle of Sydney's city centre. It's Australia's oldest public park, first set aside in 1810. The park is shaped like a rectangle, with a rounded northern end. It's surrounded by busy streets like Elizabeth Street, College Street, St James Road, Prince Albert Road, and Liverpool Street.

This park was designed by several people over time, including Norman Weekes and Sir John Sulman. It was built between 1810 and 1927. In the past, it had many names like Sydney Common or The Racecourse. Today, Hyde Park is owned by the City of Sydney. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2011 because of its importance.

Hyde Park is part of a chain of parks that stretch north to Sydney Harbour. These include The Domain and the Royal Botanic Garden. Many important buildings are around the park. These include the Supreme Court of New South Wales, St James Church, and St Mary's Cathedral. The park is split into two halves by Park Street, which runs from east to west.

The park has beautiful gardens and about 580 trees. You'll see many types of figs, conifers, and palms. It's especially famous for its grand avenues lined with fig trees. On the eastern side, you'll find the Sandringham Gardens.

Park History
Sporting Activities
Park Features
- Park Condition and Changes
Monuments
Park Plants
Images for kids
See also

Park History

When Europeans first arrived in 1788, Aboriginal people used the swampy land that became Hyde Park for hunting. This area was also an important meeting and contest ground for Aboriginal people from across Sydney and beyond. They would gather here to settle disagreements.

The land that became Hyde Park was once covered in trees. Early drawings show a mix of gum trees, figs, and palms. From 1788, this area was also used by soldiers. They could quickly gather here if there was trouble.

In 1792, Governor Phillip wanted this land to remain public property. It became known as "the Common." Settlers used it to graze animals and gather firewood. By 1810, it was an open, elevated space with views towards the harbour.

In 1810, Governor Macquarie officially named it "Hyde Park." He named it after the famous Hyde Park in London. This was part of his plan to improve Sydney. He wanted the park to be a place for people to relax and enjoy themselves. He also set it aside for troops to exercise.

Early Park Uses

Hyde Park quickly became the colony's first sports centre. Just ten days after Macquarie named it, Australia's first organised horse race took place here in October 1810. Horse races continued in the park through the 1820s.

Cricket was also very popular. British officers introduced the game in 1803. The park served as Sydney's main cricket ground from 1827 to 1856. It was also a popular spot for children's games.

In 1811, Governor Macquarie made rules to protect the park. He stopped carts and animals from crossing it. He also built a fence to keep the park separate from other areas. He wanted all traffic to use new roads around the park.

Governor Macquarie also had important buildings constructed around the northern end of Hyde Park. These included Hyde Park Barracks (1817–19), St James' Church (1820), and the Law Courts (1819–28). These buildings were designed by architect Francis Greenway.

The eastern side of the park saw the start of St Mary's Cathedral in 1821. This was the first land given to the Roman Catholic Church in Australia.

Park Changes (1830s-1900s)

In the 1830s, Governor Darling wanted to sell parts of the park for houses. But Governor Bourke stopped this, making sure it stayed a park. In 1830, Park Street was extended through the park, dividing it.

In 1837, the first major tree planting happened in the park. This was done by Alan Cunningham, who was in charge of the Sydney Botanic Gardens. Also in 1837, Busby's Bore brought water to the city. An outlet for this water was in Hyde Park, where water carts would fill up to sell water.

By the 1850s, Hyde Park was mostly open grass with paths. People started pushing for the park to be "improved" and planted with more trees. In 1854, a committee was formed to improve Hyde Park. The park slowly became a more decorative space for quiet walks.

Civic monuments began to appear in the park. In 1857, the Thornton Obelisk was built. It looks like an ancient Egyptian monument but was actually a sewer ventilator! People jokingly called it 'Thornton's Scent Bottle'.

In the 1860s, more trees were planted, especially along pathways. Moreton Bay and Port Jackson fig trees were added in 1862. These trees were chosen by Charles Moore, the Director of the Botanic Gardens.

In 1876, the park was officially marked out with a stone wall and iron fence. In 1878, gates and gas lamps were added at its corners. The Great Synagogue was built on Elizabeth Street facing the park in 1878.

In 1879, the Captain Cook statue was put up on the highest point in the park. It honours Captain Cook's discovery of Australia's east coast.

In 1881, the Frazer Memorial Fountain was placed in the park. It was one of the first sources of clean water for Sydney. It had cups for people to drink from.

Modern Developments (1900s-Present)

In 1904, the Sydney Municipal Council took control of Hyde Park. They started a program to upgrade it. By 1905, the entire park was lit up.

In 1910, Sydney's first public women's toilet was built in the park. In 1912, College Street was widened, changing the park's shape slightly.

A major change came with the building of an underground railway for the city. Plans started in 1916, and major digging began in 1922. This caused huge disruption to the park for several years. The railway system officially opened in December 1926. The first electric trains ran between Central, Museum, and St James stations, which have entrances in Hyde Park.

After the railway work, a competition was held in 1927 to redesign and beautify Hyde Park. Norman Weekes won with a design that aimed to make the park dignified and beautiful, like parks in Europe. This plan included placing major monuments at each end of the park's main view.

The Archibald Fountain was installed at the northern end of the park in 1932. It was a gift from J.F. Archibald to honour Australia's connection with France during World War I. The fountain shows the Greek god Apollo and other mythical figures.

At the southern end, the ANZAC War Memorial was built between 1930 and 1934. This important monument honours Australian military personnel who served in World War I. It has unique sculptures and symbols special to Australia.

In the 1930s, many improvements to the park were made using workers from the Depression Relief Fund Programme. This included building the Pool of Remembrance at the Anzac Memorial.

In 1954, Queen Elizabeth II opened the Sandringham Memorial Gardens. These gardens honour her father, King George VI.

In 1983, the Nagoya Gardens were built in Hyde Park North. This celebrates the friendship between Sydney and its sister city, Nagoya in Japan.

In 2015, a War Memorial for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers was unveiled in Hyde Park South. Designed by Indigenous artist Tony Albert, it features large bullet-shaped sculptures.

Sporting Activities

Hyde Park was once a busy place for sports. People played cricket, rugby, horse racing, quoits, and hurling. However, they had to share the park with soldiers training and the public walking through.

Horse Racing

Australia's first official horse race meeting happened in Hyde Park in October 1810. It was organised by officers from Governor Macquarie's regiment. Governor Macquarie himself attended the races. This type of race meeting was common for the next 50 years. Races continued in Hyde Park until 1825.

Cricket

Cricket was played in Hyde Park as early as 1803. The main cricket ground was in the north-western part of the park. All major games were played there until 1856. However, conflicts with other park users led to cricket matches moving to The Domain.

Rugby

The first known rugby match in Australia took place in Hyde Park on June 17, 1865. It was played by members of Australia's first rugby club, the Sydney Football Club. Later that year, the first inter-club game was also played here.

By 1856, Hyde Park was turned into public gardens, and most sports activities stopped. Sports clubs had to find other places to play.

Park Features

<mapframe width="200" height="450" zoom="16" text="Interactive map"> { "type": "ExternalData", "service": "page", "title": "Hyde Park, Sydney.map" } </mapframe> Hyde Park is located on a slight ridge in the city centre. It slopes gently towards College Street and Elizabeth Street. The park has many drain covers, some of which lead to Busby's Bore. This was an early water supply system for Sydney.

The park is mostly rectangular with a rounded northern end. It is divided by Park Street. Hyde Park offers shady avenues, green lawns, and colourful views. Its design shows the city's history. The park's main feature is a wide, shaded walkway lined with magnificent Hill's weeping fig trees. These trees are tall and dominate the park's look.

At each end of the park, you'll find two major monuments. The Archibald Fountain is at the northern end, and the ANZAC War Memorial is at the southern end. These two monuments are very important to the park's design.

The park has many paths that connect city streets. These paths lead to nearby suburbs like Woolloomooloo and Darlinghurst. There are also steps leading down to Park Street and College Street, as these streets are lower than parts of the park.

Wide paved areas surround both the Archibald Fountain and the Anzac Memorial. A rectangular Pool of Remembrance is located near the Anzac Memorial. Its edges are lined with tall poplar trees.

The park has many monuments and features:

North-west (St.James' Road to Park Street)

St.James Station entry
Sundial
Busby's Bore Fountain
The Nagoya Gardens, with a giant outdoor chess set
A former toilet block, now a cafe
F. J. Walker Memorial Fountain
John Baptist Fountain
Oddfellows Memorial (War Memorial)

North-east (Prince Albert Road to Park Street)

Archibald Fountain
William Bede Dalley statue
Fort Macquarie Cannon
British Lawn
Sandringham Gardens & Memorial Gates

South-west (Park- Liverpool Streets)

Thornton Obelisk (a sewer ventilator)
Museum Station entry building and cafe
Anzac Memorial
Pool of Remembrance

South-east (Park-Liverpool Streets)

Captain Cook Statue
Frazer Memorial Fountain
Emden Gun (a gun from a German ship)

Park Condition and Changes

In the 1920s, much of the park was dug up to build the City Underground Railway. This included Museum Station and St James Station, which have exits in the park.

Hyde Park has always been a public space. It has seen changes over time, including buildings, water outlets, and road widening. The biggest change was the railway construction.

Even though it has changed, Hyde Park remains Sydney's most important formal urban park. Its formal design gives it strength and makes it memorable.

Recent changes (since 1990) have been small. Some Hill's fig trees were removed due to fungus. A childcare and women's rest centre building was removed, and that area was re-grassed. There have also been minor path upgrades and changes for cycle lanes.

Monuments

Archibald Fountain

Memorial Pond

The most famous feature in Hyde Park is the Archibald Fountain. It was designed by François-Léon Sicard and given to Sydney in 1932. This gift honoured Australia's help to France during World War I. At the northern end, you'll also find the Nagoya Gardens with a giant outdoor chess set. This area also has an entrance to the underground St James railway station.

Near College Street and the Australian Museum is the Sandringham Garden. This beautiful sunken garden was opened by Queen Elizabeth II. It is a memorial to Kings George V and George VI.

At the park's southern end is the ANZAC War Memorial, located behind the Pool of Reflection. This area also has entrances to the Museum railway station. A monument with a large gun from the German ship SMS Emden stands at Whitlam Square. This gun is a memorial to the First Australian Imperial Force from World War I. The memorial was opened in 1934.

ANZAC War Memorial

Close to the ANZAC Memorial, you'll find Yininmadyemi - Thou didst let fall. This artwork honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers who served in the Australian Defence Force. Indigenous artist Tony Albert created it, and it was unveiled in 2015.

On the western side, near the Bathurst Street entrance, stands the Hyde Park Obelisk. This 22-metre (72 ft) tall monument was built in 1857. It looks like an ancient Egyptian obelisk but is actually a sewer vent. Further south, there's another monument dedicated to soldiers from World War I.

In the north-eastern part of the southern half of the park, there is a monument to Captain James Cook. It was put up to remember Cook's discovery of Australia's east coast in 1770.

Park Plants

Moreton Bay Fig

Two conifers in foreground

The main trees in Hyde Park are the Hill's Weeping Figs. These were planted in the 1930s and form a wide avenue through the park. You can also find Moreton Bay Figs and Port Jackson Figs.

Other types of trees in the park include:

Araucaria cunninghamii
Araucaria columnaris
Agathis robusta
Pinus roxburghii
Stenocarpus sinuatus
Ficus religiosa
Lophostemon confertus
Platanus × hispanica
Afrocarpus falcatus
Quercus ilex
Quercus robur
Washingtonia robusta
Phoenix canariensis
Phoenix reclinata
Phoenix dactylifera
Phoenix rupicola
Butia capitata
Livistona australis

Between 2004 and 2005, some trees in the park were found to be sick with fungus. A plan was made to remove about 230 diseased trees and replace them over time. The goal is to keep most of the park's trees healthy for as long as possible.