Glebe Park - Galliard Smith Gate
Location
Eastern side of the Civic centre, accessible from Coranderrk, Ballumbir, Akuna and Bunda Streets.
Facilities
Facilities include: Rotunda; barbecues; children's playgrounds; picnic areas; and a public toilet in the centre of the park. Time controlled parking is available outside the park only.
History
Glebe Park is an important green sanctuary in the city. Its mature trees and its distinctive stone and steel picket fences set it apart from all other parks in Canberra. For office workers, shoppers, tourists, including the many who visit the adjacent National Convention Centre, and the residents of nearby Reid, it is Civic's most accessible park.
A part of Canberra's history
The park is but a small part of a 40 hectare glebe which, together with a nearby area of approximately 0.8 hectares, was transferred by merchant and pastoralist Robert Campbell to the Church of England in the early 1840s when the area was known as "Canberry". On the smaller site was built St Johns Church, which has continued to the present day serving its parish community. The glebe, later expanded to 47 hectares, was for a parsonage and for the parson's use as a farm.
The subsequent planting of trees was to lead, a century later, to a community campaign to save those trees and their descendants by creating a public park there. That park was officially defined and named on 14 December 1983. Its future was assured by National Trust (ACT) and Australian Heritage Commission listings. After construction by the National Capital Development Commission between 1983 and 1988 it was officially opened on Canberra Day March 12 1989.
A heritage influenced design
In keeping with the historic background of the existing trees and their informal character the park has been designed to reflect the character of a traditional English park. The park's borders that front roads are marked by a stone fence with steel railings, while access is gained through formal gateways. The park is criss-crossed with paved paths. Each of the ten gates are officially named to reflect the historic background of the area since European settlement. Names include St John's, Galliad Smith, Campbell and Canberry.
The mature trees of the park create a relaxed atmosphere much sought after in the heart of the city. The blaze of autumn colour diffused with sunlight marks the change of the seasons in a way seldom experienced in other Canberra parks. Of the park's 663 trees 508 are English elms (Ulmus procera) and 92 are English oaks (Quercus robur).
A 19th century style rotunda, a children's playground and a large sculpture depicting "Egle, the Queen of Serpants" donated by the Lithuanian community in Australia, add interest to the park. United Nations Day in 1989 and the Diamond Jubilee of the Horticulture Society of Canberra (1929-1989) are commemorated with tree plantings.
A popular inner city park
Glebe Park is well used throughout the week and weekend during daylight hours, particularly in the spring, summer and autumn. Groups congregate around the barbecues and the children's playground.
The park has become a popular venue for organised events such as weddings, public meetings and concerts for which a permit may be required, while it is an excellent venue for large festivals. During March it is used for a wide range of events during the Canberra Festival, including the ever popular Canberra Times Art Show.
During a visit to Glebe Park reflect on the events over the past 150 years which have contributed to the evolution of the park and today's Canberra.
Reference
Gray, J (1997) The Historical and Cultural Background of selected Urban Parks in Canberra.
Source: www.tams.act.gov.au/play/pcl/parks_reserves_and_open_plac...
Glebe Park - Galliard Smith Gate
Location
Eastern side of the Civic centre, accessible from Coranderrk, Ballumbir, Akuna and Bunda Streets.
Facilities
Facilities include: Rotunda; barbecues; children's playgrounds; picnic areas; and a public toilet in the centre of the park. Time controlled parking is available outside the park only.
History
Glebe Park is an important green sanctuary in the city. Its mature trees and its distinctive stone and steel picket fences set it apart from all other parks in Canberra. For office workers, shoppers, tourists, including the many who visit the adjacent National Convention Centre, and the residents of nearby Reid, it is Civic's most accessible park.
A part of Canberra's history
The park is but a small part of a 40 hectare glebe which, together with a nearby area of approximately 0.8 hectares, was transferred by merchant and pastoralist Robert Campbell to the Church of England in the early 1840s when the area was known as "Canberry". On the smaller site was built St Johns Church, which has continued to the present day serving its parish community. The glebe, later expanded to 47 hectares, was for a parsonage and for the parson's use as a farm.
The subsequent planting of trees was to lead, a century later, to a community campaign to save those trees and their descendants by creating a public park there. That park was officially defined and named on 14 December 1983. Its future was assured by National Trust (ACT) and Australian Heritage Commission listings. After construction by the National Capital Development Commission between 1983 and 1988 it was officially opened on Canberra Day March 12 1989.
A heritage influenced design
In keeping with the historic background of the existing trees and their informal character the park has been designed to reflect the character of a traditional English park. The park's borders that front roads are marked by a stone fence with steel railings, while access is gained through formal gateways. The park is criss-crossed with paved paths. Each of the ten gates are officially named to reflect the historic background of the area since European settlement. Names include St John's, Galliad Smith, Campbell and Canberry.
The mature trees of the park create a relaxed atmosphere much sought after in the heart of the city. The blaze of autumn colour diffused with sunlight marks the change of the seasons in a way seldom experienced in other Canberra parks. Of the park's 663 trees 508 are English elms (Ulmus procera) and 92 are English oaks (Quercus robur).
A 19th century style rotunda, a children's playground and a large sculpture depicting "Egle, the Queen of Serpants" donated by the Lithuanian community in Australia, add interest to the park. United Nations Day in 1989 and the Diamond Jubilee of the Horticulture Society of Canberra (1929-1989) are commemorated with tree plantings.
A popular inner city park
Glebe Park is well used throughout the week and weekend during daylight hours, particularly in the spring, summer and autumn. Groups congregate around the barbecues and the children's playground.
The park has become a popular venue for organised events such as weddings, public meetings and concerts for which a permit may be required, while it is an excellent venue for large festivals. During March it is used for a wide range of events during the Canberra Festival, including the ever popular Canberra Times Art Show.
During a visit to Glebe Park reflect on the events over the past 150 years which have contributed to the evolution of the park and today's Canberra.
Reference
Gray, J (1997) The Historical and Cultural Background of selected Urban Parks in Canberra.
Source: www.tams.act.gov.au/play/pcl/parks_reserves_and_open_plac...