Johnson Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Johnson Park |
|
|---|---|
A view of Johnson Park taken from the eastern boundary path looking south.
|
|
| Location | Northcote, Melbourne |
| Area | 2 hectares (4.9 acres) |
| Operated by | City of Darebin |
| Paths | Pedestrian and bicycle access throughout |
| Vegetation | indigenous and exotic |
| Connecting transport | bus, train and tram |
| Facilities | Toilets, barbecues, playground |
Johnson Park is a small park in Northcote, a suburb in Victoria, Australia. It covers about 2 hectares (which is like 2 football fields!). This park is located about 8 kilometers from the center of Melbourne. It's a really important green space for people living in Northcote and nearby areas to relax and play.
Contents
Where is Johnson Park Located?
Johnson Park is on land that was originally part of the Jika Jika parish. This land was first sold by the government in Melbourne on October 3, 1859. The main entrance to the park is on the south side of Bastings Street in Northcote. It's about 60 meters west of where Bastings Street meets Victoria Road.
What Does Johnson Park Look Like?
Johnson Park has many cool features for everyone to enjoy. You'll find open grassy areas, pretty garden beds, and lots of different trees and shrubs. Some of the trees are from Australia, and others are from different parts of the world.
The park also has a special covered walkway called a pergola, a fun playground with equipment, and paths for walking or riding bikes. There are places to sit, lights for evening visits, and even barbecues for picnics.
Some of the big, old trees you might see include elm, plane, and oak trees. There are also silky oak and eucalyptus trees, which are native to Australia. A special feature is a row of Canary Island Palms along the northern edge of the park.
Before European Settlement
The land where Johnson Park is today was once home to the Wurundjeri-willam people. They were part of a larger group that spoke the same language. Their traditional lands stretched across a wide area, from the Maribyrnong and Werribee Rivers, up to Mount Macedon, and east to Wilson's Promontory.
The ground in this area, including Johnson Park, is made of basalt rock. This type of rock is common in the flatter parts of Melbourne's northern suburbs. The soil is usually shallow, dark grey clay over the basalt, with some rocky spots.
Before European settlers arrived, this landscape was mostly covered in grasses, especially Kangaroo grass. You would also have seen River Red Gums, Drooping Sheoaks, and small groups of shrubs. The early English settlers thought this land was good for grazing animals. The specific area where Johnson Park now stands was described as a rocky five acres.
Why People Wanted More Parks (1906–1913)
Around 1906, people in Northcote started asking for more public parks. Local newspapers reported on this growing demand. A group called the South Ward Ratepayers' even sent a letter to the Northcote Council, asking for more playgrounds for children.
As more people pushed for parks, the Mayor of Northcote held a public meeting in the Town Hall on December 7, 1906. Between 70 and 100 people attended, showing how important this issue was to the community. At that time, many people believed that open spaces were like the "lungs of the city." They thought parks were especially important in working-class neighborhoods to help people stay healthy.
Because of this community pressure, the Council started buying land for parks and gardens in Northcote. By 1933, the Town Clerk reported that over 18,000 pounds had been spent on buying land for parks. This included Johnson Park, as well as Batman Park, Pender's Park, and Merri Park.
How the Park Changed Over Time (1913–1930)
In 1913, the Northcote Council bought five acres of land. This land was flat and low, with basalt soil, located between Rucker Hill and the Darebin Creek. It was first called the East Ward Park, and slowly it became Johnson Park.
In April 1927, the Town Clerk, W.G Swift, wrote a review of Northcote's parks. He said that parks are vital for a city, providing places for fun, rest, and learning. He believed parks should be well-designed and maintained to attract visitors.
Swift described Johnson Park as "very refreshing with its green lawns." However, he also felt it needed more artistic design. He suggested adding a lily pond with a fountain and making some gentle hills to add interest, as the park was very flat.
In May 1927, the Council's Parks and Baths Committee approved a plan to plant more trees in the parks. This was part of a bigger plan to make the parks more beautiful.
Recent Changes and Community Efforts (2004–Present)
Between 2002 and 2004, local residents became concerned about Johnson Park. They felt the park was being neglected. A group called Friends of Johnson Park was formed to ask for immediate improvements.
In 2014, people in the community raised concerns again about the park's plants and trees. Many trees were removed by the City of Darebin Council's tree experts, and a meeting confirmed that many trees were unhealthy. It seemed tree care had been lacking.
Community members and the Council decided to work together to improve the park. They wanted to help native birds by adding more nesting spots and food sources. They also hoped to plant more trees to bring the park back to its historical tree coverage. Another goal was to screen the park's fences with native shrubs and create more natural play areas for children.
The Northcote Leader newspaper reported in February 2003 that a spokesperson for the Friends of Johnson Park, Ian Shepherd, said the park's poor condition was due to years of neglect by the Darebin Council. He even called the park "a desert." People were also worried about trees being removed without asking the community and about trees dying too soon. A Council spokesperson replied that "drought conditions" were affecting the grass and trees.
The meetings between the Friends of Johnson Park and the City of Darebin led the Council to hire experts to create a master plan for the park. A 2004 report on the park found that "the overall health of the tree population is unsatisfactory." Many trees were stressed or dying early because they weren't getting enough water.
After this, the City of Darebin made many improvements. They added a new path along the eastern side of the park and a new central path. They planted more trees, set up new watering systems for some trees, installed new lighting, and built a new playground. These changes were well-received by the local community.
Images for kids
-
A view of Johnson Park taken from the eastern boundary path looking south.
