|
Centennial Park-a history
This area to
the south east of the cbd has featured prominently in the social development
and history of new south wales.
The
geographic story starts & shows us how the land was as part of the custodial
range of the local tribe ,a huge catchment area of creeks, sand dunes and
ponds. A swampy area with fresh water springs ,many sandstone out crops
(some of which can still be seen in the park) with an abundance of
marsupial & bird life.
1811 Governor Lachlan Macquarie designated the area as the Second Sydney
Common allowing grazing of cattle & the gathering of fire wood Nine years
later part of the Common became the Lachlan Water Reserve |
|
In 1825 John Busby, city surveyor and civil engineer, undertook a study of
the area finding the water "free from every taste and smell," with this
statement this ancient area soon drew the attention of the settlers whose
quest for fresh water would eventuality led to the damming of this upper
area of the complex and diverse eco system which spread from the present day
amphitheatre down to botonayBay & had existed undisturbed for
tens of thousands of years, and via a series of dams and the convict built
tunnel “busbys bore ” transport the water through gravity fed pipe to hyde
park and eventually throughout the town and suburbs from 1837 to1859.Due to
the over use of the resource this upper area once so lush and full of life
quickly became polluted.
|
The 1874 dams constructed in the wake of large scale flooding down stream
went on to be remodeled into the present ornamental ponds.
 |
|
|
|
The decision
to
turn this desolate polluted rocky swamp/ reserve into "a place of beauty &
serenity suitable as the venue of the centenary celebrations of 1888" is the
responsibility of The Governor, Lord Carrington, and the Premier, Sir Henry
Parkes believing that the eyesore could be made of use and benefit to the
people of nSW and the citizens of Sydney, 65% of whom lived within walking
distance of the park in 1887.
Centennial
park was created under the Centennial Celebrations Act 1887,and Charles
Moore, Director of the Botanic Gardens enlisted hundreds of unemployed men
to turn swamp, scrub & rock into the grand park, with formal gardens, ponds,
statues and grand avenues which we see today. |
 |
|
The
celebrations of the Australian federation & the birth of Australia as a
commonwealth
was focused in the park 01 01 1901
 
 |
|
