The school holidays are a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the natural world. One place to do this is Queens Park, a beautiful parkland that is more than 150 years old.
In 1842, Henry Wade set aside 80 acres of land to be used for recreational purposes, and in 1864 the land was laid out and named Queens Park in honour of Queen Victoria. During the period of 1864 – 1870, Queens Park became home to 30 Camphor Laurel trees, 29 Date Palms, two Bottle trees, two Tallow Nut trees, eight Bunyas, one English Chestnut and 354 other native trees and shrubs.
The park was controlled by a small group of trustees who were appointed by the Queensland Government and consisted of John Panton, George Thorn, Patrick O’Sullivan, Frederick Forbes, Christopher Gorry, Dr. Henry Challinor, Arthur Macallister and Henry Kilner. The Ipswich council of this time believed it inappropriate for land used by the people to be governed by private persons, so on the 30th of April 1894 control of Queens Park was transferred to local council.
Given its size and the presence of native flora, up keep was very important. On March the 1st 1896, Alexander Munro was appointed the first curator of Queens Park, where he built the first glasshouse, and planted the majority of the large trees still residing in the park. Frederick Turley, Thomas Wall and George Palmer were also appointed the role as park curator during the years 1909 – 1961.
Over the years, the following sporting clubs have been developed and built in the Queens Park grounds. The Croquet Club was allotted ground in 1902, the Ipswich Bowls Club (founded in 1906) had a clubhouse built in 1915, while the Ipswich Junior Tennis club was built in 1934.
One of the main attractions of Queens Park today is the Nature Centre, which is home to a number of native Australian animals. However many will be surprised to know that the animal reserve was first housed at Queens Park in 1936 and played host to emus, kangaroos and ducks. Today, Queens Park offers young and old the opportunity to picnic, play, relax and enjoy a day out with family and friends.
The main entrance of Queens Park 1940 – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich
Further photographs of Queens Park are available on the Ipswich Library Picture Ipswich website.
Information sourced from the Queensland Times, “Queens Park Celebration” – Souvenir Edition, October 9th, 1994.