St Leonards Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Leonards Park |
|
|---|---|
WWI 77 mm (3.0 in) German Field Gun located in St Leonards Park
|
|
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | 283a Miller Street, North Sydney, North Sydney Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Area | 15 hectares (37 acres) |
| Created | 1867 (as a park) |
| Designer | Charles Moore |
| Operated by | North Sydney Council |
| Built | 1838– |
| Architect | William Tunks, Mayor |
| Official name: St Leonards Park | |
| Type: | State heritage (landscape) |
| Designated: | 31 July 2015 |
| Reference #: | 1941 |
| Type: | Urban Park |
| Category: | Parks, Gardens and Trees |
St Leonards Park is a special park in North Sydney, Australia. It covers about 15-hectare (37-acre) and is a place for many activities. You can find a bowling club, sports fields, and a cricket oval here. The park is very old and important, so it is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
Contents
History of St Leonards Park
Early Days: 1838-1867
The land for St Leonards Park was first set aside in 1838. This was when the town of St Leonards was being planned. For many years, the land remained mostly untouched. There was just a simple path crossing it. A small creek and a swamp were also part of the area.
The Park Begins: 1867-1900s
In 1867, William Tunks, the first mayor of St Leonards, wanted to turn this land into a public park. He saw it as a main feature for the new town. The first part of the park was officially made public in 1867. It was meant for recreation and cricket. The famous North Sydney Oval was created then, and its first cricket pitch was laid on December 6, 1867. This makes it one of Australia's oldest cricket grounds still in use!
Mayor Tunks cared a lot about the park. He helped decide where pathways should go and what trees to plant. Some trees even came from his own garden! In 1873, local people helped raise money for a fence and more trees like pines and fig trees. The park's design was inspired by English parks. Charles Moore, a botanist, suggested planting many Moreton Bay and Port Jackson fig trees. The large fig trees you see today in Fig Tree Lane were likely planted around this time.
Sadly, Mayor Tunks died in the park in 1883. To remember him, a beautiful marble fountain was built in 1885. It's called the Tunks Memorial Fountain and you can still see it today.
In 1884, North Sydney Council became responsible for St Leonards Park. People wanted a place to play bowls. So, in 1887, an area was set aside for a bowling green. The St Leonards Bowling Club started in 1888. The park also got areas for cricket and football. The Bon Andrews Oval, used for both sports, is in one of these original spots.
By 1886, you could reach the park by tram from Milsons Point. In 1897, the Jubilee Fountain was put up to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. This fountain was later moved to Civic Park in 1982.
Early 1900s Developments: 1900-1930
Australia's first outdoor cinema started in St Leonards Park in 1909! Movies are still shown there today. After World War I, a special committee decided to build a memorial for soldiers. They chose a spot in the park, aligned with the Tunks Memorial Fountain. The design was by Frank Thorp. A tall, 13-metre (43 ft) stone memorial was built and opened in 1926. It was the biggest war memorial in Sydney at the time.
In 1921, a German Field Gun captured in France during World War I was placed in the park. It was a reminder of the soldiers' bravery.
Before 1930, two tennis courts were built where the playground is now. The North Sydney Oval also got a new grandstand in 1904. In 1928, the Duncan Thompson Stand, a very large grandstand for spectators, was officially opened.
Mid-Century Changes: 1930s-1960s
In the 1930s, St Leonards Park was used for government work projects to create jobs. A playground was built on the old tennis court site. It had swings and climbing equipment. By the 1940s, the park hosted dance and drama programs, as well as sports.
During World War II, zig-zag air raid trenches were dug in the park for safety. These were filled in by 1944. A stone gazebo was also built for older people to relax.
In 1948, the Music Shell was finished. It was designed by famous architects Peddle Thorp and Walker. It opened with a performance by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. A brick wall was built around North Sydney Oval in 1936. This meant some fig trees along Miller Street had to be removed.
In 1954, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh drove through St Leonards Park. About 48,000 schoolchildren watched them! A special plaque in the park remembers this visit.
Modern Era: 1960s-Present
In the 1960s, the Warringah Expressway was built. This changed the park's eastern edge and separated the North Sydney Sewer Vent from the park. Netball courts were also added for local schools.
The North Sydney Leagues Bowling Club got a special lease in 1960. They built a new clubhouse, which was finished in 1961. In 1984, the Bob Stand was moved from the Sydney Cricket Ground to North Sydney Oval. It's a beautiful old stand from 1895.
St Leonards Park was even part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games! The marathon started outside the park, and spectators watched from inside. You can still see the starting line painted on Miller Street.
North Sydney Oval is still very popular for sports. In 1994, a record 23,089 people watched a rugby match there. In recent years, there have been upgrades to the park. Plans include improving the war memorial, restoring the Tunks Fountain, adding new benches, picnic areas, and upgrading the playground.
What You Can See in St Leonards Park
St Leonards Park is a large park with many interesting features.
- North Sydney Oval
This is the main sports field, used since 1867. It's one of Australia's oldest cricket grounds. It includes: * Bob Stand: A historic stand built in 1895 and moved here in 1983. * Duncan Thompson Stand: Built in 1929, it was the biggest suburban grandstand in New South Wales at the time.
- Bon Andrews Oval
This is another sports field with a building called the Cunningham Pavilion. It has been used for sports since 1894.
- Music Shell
Designed by famous architects Peddle Thorp and Walker, this building has a stage with a dramatic roof. It's used for performances and concerts.
- Tunks Memorial Fountain
This beautiful marble fountain was put in the park in 1885. It honors William Tunks, the first Mayor of St Leonards, who helped create the park.
- War Memorial
Built in 1926, this tall, 13-metre (43 ft) stone memorial remembers soldiers from World War I. It was the largest war memorial in Sydney when it was built. Other plaques have been added for later wars.
- World War I Field Gun
You can see a 77 millimetres (3.0 in) field gun captured from the Germans in France in 1918. It's mounted on a stand in the park's corner.
- Playground
The children's playground is where two tennis courts used to be in the 1930s. It's surrounded by an old concrete fence.
- Stone Shelter
This shelter was built in 1943 from stone. It has four arches and a tiled roof, with concrete tables inside.
- Oval Bus Shelter
This small wooden shelter used to be a tram stop. It has a hip roof with terracotta tiles.
- Air Raid Trenches
During World War II, zig-zag air raid trenches were dug in the park for safety. They have since been filled in.
- North Sydney Leagues Bowling Club
An area for bowling was set aside in 1887. The current club building was built in the 1960s.
- Open Parkland and Trees
The park has wide open lawns and many different types of trees. Some are native Australian trees like Port Jackson pine and red bloodwood. Others were planted, like Moreton Bay figs and Port Jackson figs. You can also see special rows of trees, like the fig tree avenue in Fig Tree Lane. Some old tree stumps are kept for local birds and possums to nest in.
Park Condition
Most parts of St Leonards Park are in great condition. The War Memorial and Tunks Fountain are in good shape, but some new structures around them have changed their look. The North Sydney Oval is excellent, but some of its older buildings, like the Duncan Thompson Stand, need repairs.
Why St Leonards Park is Important
St Leonards Park is very important for a few reasons:
- Historical Value: It's one of the oldest public parks in New South Wales. It was set aside in 1838 and became a public park in 1867. It also has one of Australia's oldest cricket grounds and bowling clubs, both still in use today.
- Beautiful Design: The park is a great example of a Victorian-era park style called "gardenesque." It still has its original layout with pathways, memorials like the Tunks Fountain, and lovely views. It also features unique buildings from the early 1900s and the Modern Movement style.
- Special Connections: The park has ties to Mr. Edgar Herbert, a pioneer in physical education. He helped set up the playground and educational programs there in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Rare Features: It's rare to find such an old park that still has its original design. The cricket ground and bowling club are also rare because they've been used continuously for so long. The Music Shell and the 1960s Bowling Club building are also rare examples of their architectural styles that are still standing.
- Community Value: St Leonards Park is very important to the local community as a place for sports and recreation.
