Wellington Square, Perth facts for kids
Wellington Square is a cool public park in Perth, Western Australia. You can find it on Wellington Street in the area called East Perth. It's a popular spot for people to relax and have fun.
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A Look Back in Time
Wellington Square wasn't always a park. Long ago, in the 1830s, it was a wet, marshy area called a swamp. People worked to drain the water away so it could be used.
After it was drained, the area became a place where people exercised horses. It was known as the "Recreation Ground" or simply "the Rec."
Becoming a Sports Field
In 1898, the ground was cleared and turned into several cricket fields. It was named after the Duke of Wellington. He was an important leader, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, when the Swan River Colony (where Perth is now) was first settled.
Before the WACA Ground was built in the 1890s, Wellington Square was the main place for cricket in Perth. It was a very important sports venue!
Football and Rugby
The park was also used for other sports. In 1901, four West Australian Football League (WAFL) matches were played there. The East Perth team used Wellington Square as their home base from 1906 to 1909, even though they played their games at other fields. Later, the Perth Rugby Club also used the square for training.
Modern Upgrades
In 2020, the City of Perth started a big project to improve Wellington Square. They spent $18.7 million to make it even better!
The upgrades include building a brand-new playground and basketball courts. There are also new paths and other facilities. A special place for quiet thought and reflection was created to remember the Stolen Generation. This is a way to honor a sad part of Australia's history.
What's Happening Now
Today, Wellington Square is a busy and important place. It's often used as a meeting spot for people.
Local schools and sports clubs still use the square for cricket and athletics. It's also a cool place where live music events are sometimes held.
