Sherwood Arboretum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sherwood Arboretum |
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Moreton Bay figs and path, 2014
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| Location | 39A Turner Street, Sherwood, Queensland, Australia |
| Official name: Sherwood Arboretum (including the John Herbert Memorial Vista) | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 3 May 2007 |
| Reference no. | 602456 |
| Significant period | 1922 - |
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The Sherwood Arboretum is a special park in Sherwood, Queensland, Australia. It's like a living museum for trees! This park is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's so important. A part of the park added in 1946 is also known as the John Herbert Memorial Vista.
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Why Sherwood Arboretum Was Created
The Sherwood Arboretum is a large area, about 15 hectares (that's like 30 football fields!). It has around 1,100 trees from about 300 different types. The park includes open grassy areas, a man-made wetland, and a long edge along the Brisbane River.
Back in the early 1900s, people were worried about Queensland's forests. They wanted to learn more about how trees grow. So, different groups and the Queensland Government decided to create a special place. This place would be for studying trees using scientific methods.
In 1922, Ernest Walter Bick, who looked after the Botanical Gardens, suggested creating an "Arboretum near the city." This would be a place to study native and other trees. Many important groups supported the idea, like the Royal Society of Queensland.
How the Arboretum Started
At first, they couldn't find the right land in Brisbane. But in 1925, many local councils joined together to form the City of Brisbane. Land that the Sherwood Shire Council had bought earlier was perfect! Everyone agreed to make it an arboretum.
The Sherwood Arboretum officially opened on World Forestry Day, March 21, 1925. It was a special day! They planted 72 Queensland kauri trees along a main path. This path was named Sir Matthew Nathan Avenue, after the Governor of Queensland. The park was first called Sherwood Forest Park.
Many important people were there for the opening and first plantings. These included Sir Matthew Nathan and William Jolly, the first Mayor of Greater Brisbane. Other key people were Archbishop James Duhig and Romeo Lahey, who started the National Parks Association.
Trees and Plants at the Arboretum
From the very beginning, Sherwood Arboretum focused on growing Australian trees. They especially wanted to grow trees from Queensland. By 1929, over 600 trees had been planted. However, the weather and soil weren't always perfect, so some early trees didn't survive.
Today, you can find many interesting trees here. These include different types of pine trees like Queensland kauri and bunya pine. There are also various fig trees, such as the Moreton Bay fig. You can even see rare Queensland native plums! Along the river, there are mangroves like the grey mangrove.
The John Herbert Memorial Vista
In 1946, more land was added to the Arboretum. This new part is now called the John Herbert Memorial Vista. It remembers John Herbert, who was a local politician for Sherwood from 1956 to 1978. He cared a lot about the community and the National Trust of Queensland. The John Herbert Memorial Vista is now a key part of the Arboretum's natural environment.
Design and Changes Over Time
A famous landscape architect named Harry Oakman worked for the Brisbane City Council from 1946 to 1963. He designed a new plan for the Sherwood Arboretum. Even though his full design wasn't built right away, it has influenced the park's look ever since. Today's park design, with its looping paths and views, shows Oakman's ideas.
In 1975, a report said that many parks in Brisbane were too flat and lacked trees. It also said they had too many buildings and car parks. But Sherwood Arboretum was different! It stood out with its beautiful views, river access, and many mature trees. It's one of the most visited parks in Brisbane.
The park's history shows how land use in Queensland has changed. It went from being an Aboriginal resource to a farm, then a suburb, and finally a park. This reflects how Brisbane grew. The park's design also changed over time. It moved from formal, scientific plantings to a focus on natural ecosystems and fun activities.
What You Can Do at the Park
Sherwood Arboretum is very popular with the local community. The children's playground is a big hit! The park's mix of open spaces and forests attracts many people. This includes families, wedding parties, sports groups, and picnickers.
You can do many things here, from active sports like cross-country running to relaxing activities. People enjoy picnics, quiet walks, cycling, and jogging. Many trees, especially the old fig trees, have carvings on their trunks. These are like messages left by countless visitors over the years!
The park is also important for science. It has mostly native Queensland trees, which is special. The original formal design, like the Queensland kauri trees along Sir Mathew Nathan Avenue, has slowly changed. Now, it has more natural-looking groups of trees, which fits modern garden design.
Environmental Importance
The Arboretum is very important for the environment in Sherwood and Brisbane. It provides a home for native plants and animals. It also helps keep the water clean and reduces flooding. It's a famous place for bird watching, with 124 different bird species recorded!
The Arboretum continues to help with scientific research. New rare and endangered trees are being planted here. Scientists also study birds like the dusky moorhen in the park.
Since 1974, many improvements have been made. These include two man-made lagoons, a playground, and better access for people with disabilities. There's also a large picnic area, a riverside boardwalk, and a public jetty. An art display shows how high the water reached during the 1974 Brisbane flood.
Park Layout
The Sherwood Arboretum has rolling hills and open spaces. You'll see groups of trees, single special trees, and a long line of mature Queensland kauri trees.
The park is next to the Brisbane River on its western side. On the south-west, it's bordered by Jolimont and Turner Streets. Houses are on the other sides. You can drive into the park from Jolimont Street, where there's a large car park. There's also a smaller car park on Dewar Street for the John Herbert Memorial Vista.
You can walk into the park from several streets like Jolimont, Dewar, Joseph, and Turner Streets. You can also arrive by boat at the pontoon on the Brisbane River.
Why Sherwood Arboretum is a Heritage Site
Sherwood Arboretum (including the John Herbert Memorial Vista) was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on May 3, 2007. This means it's a very important place!
- Shows Queensland's History: The Arboretum shows how Queensland started using modern science to manage its forests. Many important scientists and groups worked together to create it.
- Unique in Queensland: It's special because it focuses almost entirely on native Queensland trees, with very few trees from other countries.
- Great Example of its Type: It's a top example of a place that combines public fun with scientific study. It's still used for research, relaxation, and learning.
- Beautiful Place: The wide views, river location, and beautiful trees make it a very pretty place. It helps people appreciate nature.
- Creative Design: The park shows great skill in balancing beautiful design with scientific needs.
- Important to the Community: It's important to scientists and visitors for its natural beauty and scientific value. It's also a much-loved place for the local communities of Sherwood, Chelmer, and Corinda.
Images for kids
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Moreton Bay figs and path, 2014
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Wetlands, 2014
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Playground, 2014
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Queensland kauri plantings along Sir Mathew Nathan Avenue, 2014
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Boardwalk along Brisbane River, 2014
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John Herbert Memorial Vista, 2014
