Kalinga Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kalinga Park |
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Parts of Kalinga Park (foreground), Shaw Park and Mercer Park (background) looking west from Clayfield
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| Type | Public park |
| Location | Kalinga & Clayfield, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Area | 196,600 square metres (2,116,000 sq ft) |
| Created | 1910 |
| Operated by | Brisbane City Council |
| Status | Open |
| Kalinga Park | |
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| Location | 100 Bertha Street, Wooloowin, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Official name: Kalinga Park, Anzac Memorial Park | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 3 July 2007 |
| Reference no. | 602584 |
| Significant period | 1910- |
Kalinga Park is a special park in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is located at 100 Bertha Street, in the suburbs of Kalinga and Clayfield. This park is very important because it is a heritage-listed site. It is also known as Anzac Memorial Park. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2007.
Contents
History of Kalinga Park
Kalinga Park officially opened in 1910. It is located on the southwest bank of Kedron Brook in Kalinga. This area was once part of an early German Mission Station. This mission was set up in 1838. It was the first free European settlement in Queensland. The missionaries named Kedron Brook. The mission closed in 1850. The name Kalinga comes from an Aboriginal language. It means "belonging to us."
Early Development
In 1910, the park was officially opened. It already had some improvements. These included a cricket pitch and a pavilion. Several sports clubs were already using the park. More land nearby was sold for homes in 1909 and 1911. A tram line connected the area to Brisbane in 1929. This helped the area grow.
Honouring Soldiers
After World War I, local groups wanted to remember the soldiers. They built the Soldiers Honour Gates. These gates are at the Park Avenue entrance. Brigadier-General Lachlan Chisholm Wilson opened them on October 23, 1920. Boy Scouts and Cubs formed a guard of honour. The gates were built to remember the brave men from the Kalinga district. They fought for their country in the Great War. For a while, the park was called Anzac Memorial Park.
Diggers' Drive
After the war, many soldiers needed jobs. A group called the Kalinga Unemployed and Distressed Soldiers' Committee helped. In 1922, they arranged for 83 soldiers to work in Kalinga Park. They built a special road through the park. This road was a memorial to those who died in the war. It was called the "Diggers' Drive." The Governor of Queensland, Sir Matthew Nathan, opened the drive in 1924. He hoped trees along the drive would have plaques with soldiers' names. This project was not fully completed.
Changes Over Time
In 1925, the park came under the control of the Brisbane City Council. During World War II (1943-1945), Kalinga Park was a large army camp. Many buildings were put up, including a post office. After the war, most buildings were removed. The post office building was moved and is now used by the Scouts. In the 1950s, more trees were planted along the memorial drive. The park continued to grow. In the late 1960s, the football and cricket fields were improved.
In the 1990s, the Kalinga Karnival was held in the park for several years. In 1993, a sign was put up for the Diggers' Drive. The drive is now paved. In 1996, artists created sandstone carvings and decorated paving in the park. Kalinga Park is still a popular place for fun and sports. It has changed a bit with the building of the Airport Link motorway.
What You Can See and Do
Kalinga Park is a large, open park. It has an irregular shape. Kedron Brook runs along its northern side. A hut used by the Kalinga Scouts is at the western end of the park. You can also see mature eucalypt trees. The railway and airport monorail cross the western part of the park.
Fun Activities and Features
Kalinga Park has many things to do. There are areas for sports like pétanque, tennis, cricket, and football. You can also find bicycle and walking tracks. The park has electric barbecue areas for picnics. There are also children's playgrounds and a kid-size bike roadway. If you have a dog, there are special off-leash areas.
Wildlife in the Park
Even though it's in the city, Kalinga Park is home to many animals. You might see ducks, cockatoos, and rainbow lorikeets. There are also possums and eastern water dragons. Sometimes, you might even spot a koala! The park also has a fenced track for the Queensland Miniature Race Car Club.
Memorial Gates and Diggers' Drive
The Memorial Gates are at the Park Avenue entrance. They are made of brown sandstone. The main posts have marble panels. These panels say the gates were opened in 1920. They also say the gates remember those who served in the Great War (1914-1919). These gates lead to the Diggers' Drive. This drive is lined with mature trees. It runs towards Kedron Brook. This area also has sculptures and picnic tables.
Why Kalinga Park is Special
Kalinga Park is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is very important.
A Look into History
The park shows how Queensland's history has changed. It follows Kedron Brook. It was once a water reserve. Then it became a park in 1910. It also shows Australia's part in World War I. The memorial gates and Diggers' Drive were built between 1920 and 1923. These parts are key to the park's history and layout. They show how people remembered the war dead. During World War II, it was a large army camp. Today, it is still a popular place for fun.
A Unique Memorial
The "Diggers' Drive" is very special. It is the only known memorial road in Queensland. It was built by soldiers who returned from the war. This was a project to help them find work.
Beautiful Scenery
Kalinga Park is also beautiful. Kedron Brook runs along its side. The tree-lined memorial drive and the large memorial gates add to its beauty. The park has open fields and groups of trees. This creates lovely views. There are also sculptures and a large children's play area.
Important to the Community
Kalinga Park is very important to the local community. It is a memorial to soldiers who died in the war. It has also been used by sports groups for a long time. It is a popular place for recreation and fun.
Images for kids
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Entrance to Kalinga Park through Honour Gates (1914–1919) onto Diggers Drive (2021).
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Petanque court, Diggers Drive (2021).
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World War I 'Avenue of Honour' and sporting fields (2021).
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Picnic areas including the 1974 Brisbane flood marker (2021).
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Dog off-leash area (2021).
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Cricket oval (2021).
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Bicycle and pedestrian paths (2021).
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Kedron Brook looking upstream (2021).
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Kedron Brook looking downstream (2021).
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Water dragon lizard beside Kedron Brook (2021).
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National Sorry Day area (2021).
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Sculptured stones beside the National Sorry Day sign (2021).
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Scout den (2021).
