New Farm’s beloved park turns 110 this year, and to celebrate the New Farm Park website is collecting an anthology of the Family Stories of New Farm Park at newfarmpark.com.au/news/family-stories-of-new-farm-park/.
Prior to European settlement, the New Farm area was called ‘Binkin-ba’, or place of the land tortoise, by the Indigenous peoples.
A racecourse was built on the site in 1846 and operated until 1913.
New Farm Park was built in 1914, but the official opening conducted by Queensland Governor Hamilton Goold-Adams was delayed until 1919 due to World War I.
In his Annual Report for 1914, City Parks Superintendent Henry Moore noted that over 100 jacarandas, 100 palm trees, poincianas and bougainvillea had been planted in the park.
In 1915, a kiosk and bandstand were constructed in the park – the bandstand still remains today, now referred to as the ‘rotunda’.
City Architect Albert Herbert Foster designed both, built in the Federation Queen Anne style.
By the 1919 opening, 800 rose bushes had been planted, later to become an iconic sight at the park.
New Farm Park is a place of wonderful family memories– it is where many of life’s special moments have taken place, whether it is a wedding or just a game of soccer.
Share your own family story – email admin@newfarmpark.com.au with your story and contact details.
Image: State Library of Queensland