Fairfield Park
off Fairfield Park Drive,FAIRFIELD, City of Yarra
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
The following wording is from the John Patrick Landscape Citation, 1998 for the property. Please note that this is a "Landscape Citation", not a "Statement of Significance". For further information refer to theLandscape Citation held by the City of Yarra.
Landscape Citation, 1998
Description
An MMBW water main has existed on the FairfieldPark site since 1878, crossing the river to the south of the site. The bridge was damaged in the 1934 floods, and rebuilt in 1937. Swimming carnivals began on the site in March 1908 and continued for many years. At this time the park was a grassed embankment with a timber landing for boating on the river.
Fairfield Park was leveled and fenced in 1912. Mr. Brown of the Heidelberg Shire Parks and Gardens ommittee laid out the paths and planting. The Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department esigned the rockeries on the hillside facing the river, completed by 1914. 400 trees from the Mt acedon Nursery were planted, a picket fence built and an iron portal placed at the entry. The park, overing 15 acres, was officially reserved for public purposes at this time.
In December 1932 the Fairfield Swimming and Life Saving Clubhouse was opened on the bend of the iver. A rotunda was also featured in the park, but has been removed. Its siting is marked by a group f palms. A football oval is located in the western section of the site.
Remnant Fabric (Man Made)
The water main and associated bridge is prominent within the park. The terracing established by 1914 appears to be largely intact, and has been augmented by a recent amphitheatre complex immediately to the east of the Swimming Clubhouse.
Remnant Fabric (Vegetation)
The site features a wide variety of trees, with conifers forming much of the structure to the park. They include Monterey Pine (Finns radiata), Blue Atlantic Cedar (Cedrus atlantica var glauca) and Italian and Monterey Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens and C. macrocarpa). Other trees of note include Elm (Ulmus x hollandicd), Common Oak (Quercus robur) and Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta).
Statement of Significance
Fairfield Park is locally significant as a major recreational facility representing early and diverse recreational uses along the Yarra, as well as extensive plantings and landscaping typical of the Edwardian period.
-
-
Fairfield Park - Physical Description 1
Remnant Fabric (Man Made)
The water main and associated bridge is prominent within the park. The terracing established by 1914 appears to be largely intact, and has been augmented by a recent amphitheatre complex immediately to the east of the Swimming Clubhouse.
Remnant Fabric (Vegetation)
The site features a wide variety of trees, with conifers forming much of the structure to the park. They include Monterey Pine (Finns radiata), Blue Atlantic Cedar (`Cedrus atlantica' var glauca) and Italian and Monterey Cypress (`Cupressus sempervirens' and `C. macrocarpa'). Other trees of note include
Elm (`Ulmus x hollandica'), Common Oak (`Quercus robur') and Fan Palm (`Washingtonia robusta').
Potential Threats
Butler (1982) has noted that there has been a noticeable loss of certain trees, principally the Cypress border on Heidelberg Road, but the character of the place has generally been maintained. Further removal of mature trees and failure to replace them with the same species will adversely effect the heritage character of the place. Introduction of new species to the site, particularly inappropriate native species will further erode the heritage character of the site.
Management Steps
The site requires the preparation of an overall Master Plan and Management Plan that would seek to reinforce the strong heritage character of the area. It should outline appropriate strategies for the replacement of senescent plant material and the introduction of new species, particularly in relation to restoration projects, such as the old rockeries. Guidelines for appropriate hard landscaping and detailing should also be included.Fairfield Park - Integrity
Fair
Heritage Study and Grading
Yarra - Northcote Urban Conservation Study
Author: Graeme Butler & Associates
Year: 1982
Grading: LocalYarra - City of Yarra Heritage Review
Author: Allom Lovell & Associates
Year: 1998
Grading:Yarra - City of Yarra Review of Heritage Overlay Areas
Author: Graeme Butler & Associates
Year: 2007
Grading: Local
-
-
-
-
-
FAIRFIELD HOSPITAL (FORMER)Victorian Heritage Register H1878
-
FAIRFIELD PARK AMPHITHEATRE COMPLEXVictorian Heritage Register H2412
-
FORMER COLLINGWOOD TIPVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
"1890"Yarra City
-
"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
-
"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
-
'NORWAY'Boroondara City
-
1 Mitchell StreetYarra City
-
-