Enmore Park Plan of Management - Land

ENMORE PARK – PLAN OF MANAGEMENT1930194219501970Historical TimelinePre 1788 The area now known as Enmore Park was an area of native vegetation.Geologically it contains the clay soils derived from the Wianamatta Shales.The area was part of the ‘Eora’ nation and populated by the Cadigalpeople.1788 Arrival of Europeans and progressive occupation of the Sydney Basin fromthis time.c. 1810 35-acre grant to Wells’ of which the southwest section incorporates the landof Enmore Park.1883 Samuel Cook campaigns for provision with a letter to Sir Alexander Stuart(politician) outlining that the localities of St Peters and Marrickville had nopark.1885 10 acres of land resumed from original Wells’ grant (now under trustees ofJohn Black) and vested in trustees on June 5 th .c. 1892 Central fountain constructed.1893 4 th May: first section of Marrickville Park (later to be known as EnmorePark) proclaimed.1896 12 th October: second section of Marrickville Park (later to be known asEnmore Park) proclaimed.1911 2 nd August: park was rededicated to the Municipality of Marrickville forpublic recreation.1919-1922 Concrete bandstand erected in replacement of central fountain, severaldrinking fountains installed and paths asphalted.1923 Council formally approaches Minister administering the Crown Lands Act1989 for a variation of the Trust. Approval to construct tennis courts orsimilar active recreation facility was sought. Later that year a proposal toenclose a 3¾-acre sport ground with picket fence was put forward to theMinister. No apparent action on these.1920s Numerous local groups make applications to Council for access to the parkfor community events. Various letters also highlight the rundown andneglected state of the park during this time.1924 Original fencing around the park removed.1926 Sole control of the park transferred to Council. It appears that Council’sintent was to pursue the option of a formal active recreation area for cricket,football and cycling.c. 1927 Cricket pitch created in the southeastern corner of the park. Around thistime Council also granted permission to several sporting bodies to train onEnmore Park. Movable soccer posts were allowed to be erected.1927 Council decided not to pursue active sports option for the park. Use of thepark to train greyhounds was also banned.1925-1927 Park’s name changed from Marrickville Park to Enmore Park, howeverthese names were interchangeable for many decades.1930 Park defined by a haphazard line of canopy trees around its streetboundaries with few internal trees. Appears park was being used forfacilities and events as the 1930 aerial indicates a range of small structuresthat may have been associated with a circus event or something similar.c. 1936 Substantial expansion and improvement works undertaken to many of theparks within the Marrickville area.1937 Funding allocated towards the construction of two stone entrances, and atram shelter, constructed between 1937-1938 partly using relief labour.c. 1942 Park layout remains primarily unchanged. Zig-zagging elements locatedaround the parks boundaries likely to have been facilities or features builtfor WWII purposes. These were removed by 1951.1944-1959 Park changed its name to D.V. Cochrane Park in honour of the Laboralderman and mayor, however after he failed to fall in line with Labor policyhe was expelled from the party.1959 Name of park changed back to Enmore Park.1951-1970 Several major works occurred including the construction of the swimmingcomplex (early 1960’s), use of a large triangular area of the site to thesouth (unknown facility) and the construction of the Children’s ResourceCentre building.c. 1992 Various upgrade works undertaken to park including new playground.Environmental Partnership 60October 2012