gardens and natural bushland on Mount Eliza with two thirds of the grounds conserved as native bushland. With panoramic views of the Swan River and Darling Range, it is home to over 300 native plant varieties and 80 bird species. It overlooks the city as well as Perth Water and Melville Water on the Swan River.
In 1872 it became the first park to be designated for public use in Australia. It is the largest inner city park in the world and the most popular visitor destination in Western Australia, being visited by over five million people each year.
Besides tourist facilities Kings Park contains the State War Memorial, the Royal Kings Park Tennis club and a reservoir. The streets are tree lined with individual plaques dedicated by family members to Western Australian service men and women who died in World War I and World War II.
During September of each year Kings Park hosts Australia's largest wildflower show and exhibition - the Kings Park Festival.
The State War Memorial Precinct is located on Mount Eliza overlooking Perth Water. It comprises the Cenotaph, Court of Contemplation, Flame of Remembrance and Pool of Reflection.
The State War Memorial Precinct is visited by more than 40,000 people each Anzac Day. A dawn service is held at 5:30am on 25 April each year.
The Cenotaph was unveiled in the year of the Centenary of Western Australia - on 24 November 1929 by the Governor Sir William Campion, and had as the honorary architect General Sir J. Talbot Hobbs. The court of contemplation is at the western side of the precinct and was unveiled on 6 November 1955 by Sir Charles Gairdner. The flame of remembrance and pool of reflection was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II on the 1st of April 2000.
Underneath the Cenotaph is the roll of honour with the names of all servicemen and women from Western Australia to die in the Boer War, World War I, World War II, Korean War or Vietnam.
Distributed throughout the park are more specific memorials to various battles, military units, prisoners of war and other groups.
The road verges through King Park have been planted with eucalyptus trees, and in front of each one is a plaque honouring those service men who died during action or as a result of wounds received; there are over 1100 of these plaques. Originally proposed by Mr Arthur Lovekin, owner of the Daily News, the idea was based on the Avenue of Honour in Ballarat, Victoria. Originally families were required to pay 10 shillings to cover the cost of the plantings; ex-servicemen provided the necessary labour to plant the trees. In 1920 Lovekin and board member Sir William Loton each donated 500 pounds to clear and plant Forrest Avenue with Sugar Gums. After Lovekin died the Kings Park board renamed Forrest Avenue to Lovekin Drive.
The botanic garden is an 18 hectare site within the park. Currently known as the Western Australian Botanic Garden it has a collection of 2000 species of Western Australian flora on display. Botanic Garden is part of the worldwide network of botanic gardens committed to plant conservation. The garden was designed by John Oldham, who held the position of Government Landscape Architect at the time. It was established to showcase the flora of Western Australia to those visiting Perth for the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, although the official opening did not take place until 1965. Botanic Garden is today home to over half of Australia’s 25,000 plant species and the following popular landmarks:
* Conservation Garden
* Gija Jumulu Boab Tree
* Pioneer Women's Memorial Fountain and Water Garden
* Lotterywest Federation Walkway
No comments:
Post a Comment