Melbourne is such a vast city now, that you can have lived here for over 50 years as I have done, and not have seen considerable stretches of it - especially when you don't drive.
I had reason to visit Victoria University at Footscray today, and afterwards, took time to explore adjacent Footscray Park.
Created in 1911 after a campaign by local residents, this 37 acre park beside the Maribyrnong River is regarded as one of the most intact Edwardian public gardens in Australia.
The first garden to be listed with Heritage Victoria, it has, in its formal framework, a series of rustic pergolas, arbours, bridges, pools and stonework walls made of local basalt.
The lovely fountain above has a platypus either side of it.
The park seems to have only a small number of visitors, cut off as it is from its surroundings by busy Ballarat Road. I saw only a handful of others during my visit, among them builders making repairs as part of the park's centennial upgrade.
Above, a handsome and oblingingly composed Chestnut Teal ( Anas castanea ), and below, part of the gateway through which I came and went.
Hello Faisal:
ReplyDeleteLike you, we do not have a motor car and so rely very heavily upon public transport so that, on occasion, much of what we should like to see is overlooked simply on account of the difficulty of being able to reach it by bus or train.
These gardens look to be eaxctly the kind we should enjoy. Partly because, as you say, they appear to attract few visitors, so are uncrowded, and partly because, as you show, they contain so many interesting species of plants. But, in particular, we should be most interested to see them as representing a period, Edwardian, in which we are much fascinated.
Hello Jane and Lance,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure their preservation has depended, in a way, on their negligible use. I'm amazed not to see more people in places like this, but like you, I'm glad, for I like to feel untrammeled. And it's nice to go back in time when things were slower, and more gracious.
Not zipping around as fervently as a motorist means, though I see less overall, what I do see is seen with more particularity.
One of my fav gardens in au..prefer over Melb Bots..Faisal..on weekends it is quite busy with wedding and all sorts of other communal activities..well used.
ReplyDeletethe new 'australian' peoples particularly utilize the park..its a peoples park.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful bones that park has and what a shame that more don't enjoy its beauty.
ReplyDeleteThe area in that first photo is very engaging!
ReplyDeleteBilly, it's good to know such a space is still so loved. Though the drought has had an impact, and the park overall could do with fine-tuning, I was delighted to find myself in another, quieter time, away from the vagaries of contemporary fashion. I was reminded that gardens like this have traditionally been designed for pleasure, and built for the public benefit. With its broad. panoramic aspects and integrated elements, it has a real sense of ease.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea. Yes, 'bones' is just the right word. We've got so used to the idea of deconstructing everything, we forget what it is to enter something constructed, that is itself constructive. I felt that the underpinning formality allowed for me to feel safe there, but also liberated, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteYes, Meggs, the pergolas really struck me that I'd arrived somewhere, and was being offered prospects. Between 1916 and 1964 the Park had only one Superintendent, David Mathews, and it's that longevity of curatorship that's probably given it its integrity.
ReplyDeleteA lovely visit to a wonderful garden.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for sharing.
Pleasure, Andrew. It's good to share something of worth that would otherwise be hidden.
ReplyDeleteIn the Botanic gardens one does not quite feel as though it is for people..even though it is of course..it reminds me of an over kept drawing room. Whereas the FOOT has few pretentious and as i recall not even a fence around it!
ReplyDeleteHi, Billy. No, there's no fence around all the back, running down to playing fields and the river. It's low-key, but you can tell alot of care's gone into it.
ReplyDeleteWhat surprised me too was the lack of vandalism and litter, though I've noticed that elsewhere in public parks - they're probably too boring to visit these days for anyone with malicious intent.
a fence and a locked gate will always attract negative stuff..this a true garden for the people..Footscray traditionally was one of the true-blue working class suburbs and most in the wealthier folk on the east of city would never have considered venturing forth! Thats Melbourne for ya!
ReplyDeleteoh, i love the platypus fountain. i can't wait to see melbourne!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the platypus are wonderful, Velma. I hope you have a marvellous time here, and tell us all about it.
ReplyDeleteFaisal,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit. I am always interested in public parks in other parts of the world. When public spaces are well cared for and loved, vandalism usually decreases.
No trouble, Michael. There's a harmlessness about a public park, that even if you're not interested at all, you'd leave it alone.
ReplyDeleteYou have, I believe, considerable experience designing public garden spaces...many more variables than in a private garden. They anchor us in a world that is otherwise too programmed, too flash, too unreal.
have not been to footcray park for years, but it looks like i need to go have another look. Thanks for the look around Faisel.
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You're welcome, Teresa. It looks innocuous from the street, and has far more going on in it - in an understated way - than I expected.
ReplyDeletearen't we lucky to live in Melbourne? I have lived here for even longer, and have hardly seen anything yet.
ReplyDeleteIt's too big, Catmint! I believe, in fact, there are only about two cities in the U.S. larger in breadth, than Melbourne...one of them is New York. No-one suspects how big it will become, but why not? It is very peaceable here and we have room for lots more people ( if only the politicians would provide as they should ).
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