Waring Gardens facts for kids

The Waring Gardens, Bandstand and Pavilion is a special park in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia. It's known for its history and beauty. The park is located on Cressy Street and was designed by John Waring, who was the first Town Clerk of Deniliquin. It was built between 1880 and 1888 by workers from the Deniliquin Council. Sometimes, people call it the Cressy Street Gardens.

The Story of Waring Gardens

How the Gardens Began

When John Waring arrived in Deniliquin in 1855, the area where the gardens now stand was a dirty water hole. People thought it was causing sickness. In 1869, when Waring became the Town Clerk, he suggested that the council turn this water hole into a beautiful garden.

Work began in 1880. The council cleaned the area and started planting willow trees. Over the next few years, they added many different shrubs and trees. The gardens were even set up like a Botanic Garden. This meant they were used to test which plants would grow well in the local area. There was also a large bird aviary in the gardens.

Honoring John Waring

In 1885, a special person was hired to look after the gardens. Sadly, John Waring passed away that same year. In 1888, the gardens were officially opened with a special ceremony. A tall stone monument, called an obelisk, was put up to honor John Waring and his vision.

Changes and Additions Over Time

The gardens continued to improve over the years.

• Band Pavilion: In 1913, a band pavilion was built. This was a place where bands could play music for visitors. It was used for many years until a fire in 1960 almost destroyed it. In 1961, the deck of the pavilion was made lower. People had complained that the music went "over their heads" because the deck was too high!
• Soldiers Memorial: A memorial for soldiers was unveiled in 1922.
• Statues: In 1974, three statues called "The Muses" were moved into the gardens when the School of Arts building was taken down. These statues have since been moved again to the Multi Arts Centre complex nearby.
• Boer War Memorial: The Boer War Memorial was first put up in 1902 at a street intersection. It was moved to Waring Gardens for a while, but then moved back to its original spot in 2001.
• Fences and Cannon: The fence around the gardens has changed several times, from a white picket fence to a woven wire fence, and then to a low brick fence. A cannon that was in the garden was taken away in 2004 to be fixed up.

What You Can See in the Gardens Today

The Waring Gardens still have many important features. You can find the obelisk that honors John Waring, a small pavilion, and a band rotunda (a round building where bands play). There's also a fountain and the War Memorial Gates at the north-west corner.

The old footbridge has been replaced with a new one made of modern materials. For younger visitors, there's children's play equipment. You'll also find modern seats where you can relax. A low brick wall marks the edge of the gardens along Cressy Street. A special plaque that officially declared the gardens is also located there.

Why Waring Gardens Are Important

A Place for Relaxation and History

The Waring Gardens are very important because they have been a place for people to relax and enjoy nature for a long time. They are right next to Cressy Street, which is the main street of Deniliquin. The gardens are also home to important memorials. They show how much effort John Waring put into developing the area. The gardens are shaded by many interesting trees and shrubs, both local and from other places. They are a key part of the town and are enjoyed by locals and visitors every day.

Connected to Important People

The gardens are named after John Waring, who was the town clerk of Deniliquin. He was very important in creating the gardens and making sure the lagoon system through the town was kept.

A Beautiful Town Feature

The gardens are a main attraction in the town's historic area. They are next to the town center and offer beautiful views. They are a crowning feature of the urban area in south Deniliquin.

A Place for Community and Memories

The gardens hold many monuments and structures that help visitors learn about the people, events, and social gatherings that have shaped Deniliquin. Near or within the gardens are the Cenotaph (a war memorial), St Paul's Church and Sunday School, and the CWA (Country Women's Association) rooms.

Learning About the Past

The gardens have many monuments and structures that can help us understand the activities, events, and people who were important in shaping Deniliquin's history.

A Unique Place

The Waring Gardens are quite special and rare in the town. This is because of the lagoon, their close location to the town center, and the way they are designed within the town's historic area.

Showing How Deniliquin Grew

The gardens show what historical gardens from that time period were like. They help us understand how Deniliquin has changed and grown since the gardens were started in 1880.