Treasury Gardens facts for kids
The Treasury Gardens are a beautiful park in East Melbourne, Australia. They cover about 5.8 hectares (14.4 acres) and are right next to Melbourne's city center. These gardens are a peaceful green space in the busy city of Melbourne. They are surrounded by important streets like Wellington Parade, Spring Street, and Treasury Place.
The Treasury Gardens are part of a group of important city parks, including Fitzroy Gardens, Carlton Gardens, Flagstaff Gardens, and Kings Domain. These gardens are very special! They are even listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. This means they are important for their history, design, and the amazing old trees that grow there.
The gardens are close to Victoria’s Parliament House. They are also overlooked by old Treasury buildings and government offices. Many people who work nearby enjoy the gardens during their lunch break. They love the big grassy areas and walking paths lined with old trees. Because the gardens are in the city center, they are often a starting or ending point for political events and festivals. Tourists and business people staying at nearby hotels also enjoy walking through the gardens.
Contents
Exploring Treasury Gardens
The Treasury Gardens have many interesting features for you to discover. They are known for their beautiful design and old trees.
Amazing Trees and Plants
The gardens are home to many different kinds of trees. Some of the big, old trees you might see include the Moreton Bay fig, deodar cedar, and English elm. There are also white poplar trees and Dutch elm trees. Other interesting trees include the Port Jackson fig and pedunculate oak.
Along the edges of the gardens, you can find plants like hydrangeas, ivy, and flax. These plants add to the beauty of the park.
Wonderful Wildlife
The Treasury Gardens are full of native animals, especially at night! You might spot many common brushtail possums. They are very popular with visitors, especially when they come out after dark. Other night animals include grey-headed flying foxes and small bats that eat insects. During the day, you can often see Pacific black ducks, red wattle birds, and silver gulls.
Special Memorials and Ponds
The gardens have a lovely ornamental pond. They also feature several important memorials:
- Sir William John Clarke Memorial: This is a marble bust from around 1902. It honors Sir William John Clarke and is located near the Treasury building.
- Robert Burns Memorial: This bronze statue honors the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns. It was moved to the Treasury Gardens in 1970.
- President John F. Kennedy Memorial: This memorial honors the American president, John F. Kennedy. It was put in place in 1965 next to a specially designed pond and water fountain.
A Look Back in Time
The Treasury Gardens have a long and interesting history. Here are some key moments:
- 1850s: The land was originally swampy. It was left as open space because it was hard to sell for building.
- 1867: A person named Clement Hodgkinson designed the gardens. He created paths that cross diagonally and are lined with trees. Willow trees were planted around the ornamental pond.
- 1902: William Guilfoyle, who was in charge of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, turned the ornamental pond into a Japanese Garden. This garden was later removed after the Second World War.
- 1929: The City of Melbourne took over managing the gardens.
- 1934: The community used the Treasury Gardens to celebrate Victoria’s 100th birthday!
- 1939: A toilet block was built for the Spring Carnival. It's special because of its unique Art Deco design.
- 1965: The monument to American president John F. Kennedy was put up.
- 1996: A new plan for the Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens was approved by the city council.
- 2019: About 150,000 people gathered in the Treasury Gardens for a big Global Climate Strike.
