McQuade Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McQuade Park |
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Fountain in lake in McQuade Park, Windsor, New South Wales. The park is listed on the New South Wales Heritage Register
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| Location | 361 George Street, Windsor, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1811–1994 |
| Architect | Governor Macquarie; 1810–1811; James Meehan; surveyor 1811; G.B. White; surveyor 1827 |
| Owner | Hawkesbury City Council |
| Official name: McQuade Park; The Great Square; Church Green; Windsor Park | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 14 January 2011 |
| Reference no. | 1851 |
| Type | Urban Park |
| Category | Parks, Gardens and Trees |
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McQuade Park is a special park in Windsor, Australia. It's a place where people can play sports, relax, and remember important events. The park was first planned by Governor Lachlan Macquarie way back in 1810. It was surveyed by James Meehan in 1811 and later made much bigger in 1827.
People have called it by different names over the years, like The Great Square, Church Green, and Windsor Park. Today, the Hawkesbury City Council owns and looks after it. Because of its long history and importance, McQuade Park was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2011.
Contents
A Look Back at McQuade Park's History
The Land Before Europeans
Long before European settlers arrived, the Hawkesbury area was home to the Dharug people. They lived along the Hawkesbury River, which they called 'Dyarrabin' or 'Deerubbin'. This river was a vital source of food for over 50,000 years. The land was very fertile because of regular floods, making it a rich and important place for the Aboriginal community.
Early European Settlement and Challenges
When the first European colonists came to New South Wales, they quickly saw how good the Hawkesbury River banks were for farming. They started growing lots of food there to feed the new colony, which often didn't have enough to eat. But life was tough for these farmers. The river flooded many times, causing a lot of damage and making farming very risky.
Governor Macquarie's Vision for Windsor
In 1810, Governor Lachlan Macquarie started his job and created six new towns. Five of these towns, including Windsor, were built to help farmers who kept losing their crops to floods. Macquarie wanted these new towns to have a central square. Windsor already had a public area called Thompson Square, but it was at one end of the town. So, Macquarie planned another, more central square, which he called the Great Square. This Great Square eventually became McQuade Park.
Planning the Great Square
James Meehan, a surveyor, began mapping out the new central square in 1811. He imagined it as a large open space, about 280 by 290 meters, for the town's use. He even wrote in his notes that it was "intended as a Square or Open Area - as a parade or park for the use of the Town." This meant it would be used for military parades and as a public park. The church and cemetery were planned to be right next to it.
Early Days of the Park
By 1816, the area of the Great Square was clear of houses and trees. It was likely used for grazing animals, military parades, and even cricket games between soldiers and farmers. In 1827, the square was made even bigger and its shape changed from a simple rectangle to an irregular pentagon, which is mostly how it looks today.
How the Park Got Its Name
In 1872, the local council decided to name the park McQuade Park, after John McQuade, who was the mayor at the time. There was a bit of a debate about the name, with some people wanting to call it Windsor Park. But in the end, the name McQuade Park stuck, and it has been known by that name ever since.
Developing the Park for Everyone
Over the years, McQuade Park grew into a popular place for the community.
- Trees and Gardens: In 1874, many trees were planted, and roads were built through the park. A swampy area was turned into a lake.
- Sports: Cricket became very popular, and a proper cricket pitch was built in 1891. A grandstand was added in 1937. Football and cycling also became popular, with a cycling track built in 1945. Tennis courts were added in 1923, and a bowling club started in 1931.
- Community Buildings: The Country Women's Association (CWA) opened its hall in the park in 1938.
- Memorials: The park has always had a connection to the military. A memorial for the Boer War was put up in 1903. After World War I, a larger memorial was added in 1923, which was later updated to remember those who served in other wars like Vietnam and Korea.
- The Lake: In 1970, the old swampy pond was replaced with a beautiful ornamental lake, complete with a small island and a pedestrian bridge. This lake became a lovely spot for relaxing.
- Remembering History: In 1994, to celebrate 200 years of European settlement in the area, many trees were planted, and a bronze statue of Governor Macquarie was placed in the park. More works were added in 2010 to mark Macquarie's 200th anniversary.
What McQuade Park Looks Like Today
McQuade Park has a unique, irregular shape. It's bordered by Hawkesbury Valley Way, George Street, and Moses Street.
Sports and Recreation Areas
- Northern Sector: This part of the park is mostly for team sports. There are two large ovals, mainly used for cricket. The main playing field has a grandstand and parking.
- Memorial Area: Between the two ovals, there's a special memorial area created in 1994. Here you'll find a bronze statue of Governor Macquarie, looking at plans for his towns.
- Playground and Bandstand: South of the grandstand, there's a playground for kids and a bandstand for performances.
- The Lake: The south-west part of the park is perfect for relaxing around the lake. This modern pond has water-lilies and a small grassy island you can reach by a bridge.
- Community Buildings: The Country Women's Association hall and the Tennis Clubhouse with its courts are also in this area, accessed from George Street. The Windsor Bowling Club used to be part of the park but is now a separate area.
Memorial Park
In the south-east corner, you'll find Memorial Park. This area is dedicated to war memorials. You enter through large brick walls with granite plaques remembering those who fought in different wars. Inside, there's a beautiful garden around the Boer War Memorial. This memorial is a tall marble monument with carvings of soldiers, honoring local men who died in the war.
Trees and Plants
McQuade Park is home to many different types of trees. You'll see narrow-leaved ironbark trees around the edges, and some older bunya pines. Other trees include stone pines, Monterey pines, white cedars, kurrajongs, Chinese elms, silky oaks, sweet gums, paperbarks, turpentine trees, and bottle brushes. Many of the newer trees were planted in 1994 to remember early European settlers.
The park has changed a lot over 200 years, but it still keeps the spirit of Governor Macquarie's original Great Square. It's a well-loved and important part of Windsor's history and community life.
Why McQuade Park is Special
McQuade Park is important for many reasons:
- Historical Significance: It's a great example of early town planning in New South Wales, showing Governor Macquarie's vision for new towns. Its connection to Macquarie and his surveyor, James Meehan, is very significant.
- Unique Design: The park's unusual shape shows how early colonial governments worked with landowners.
- Community Hub: It has been a central place for sports, recreation, and community events for a very long time.
- War Memorials: The park is home to important war memorials, especially the Boer War Memorial, which is rare and beautifully carved.
- Social Importance: The people of Windsor have chosen this park to remember their history, plant trees for early settlers, and honor those who served in wars.
- Rarity: McQuade Park is one of the few town squares from Governor Macquarie's time that still exists and serves its original purpose.
