Footscray Park (Footscray)

Footscray Park is one of the largest and most intact examples of an Edwardian park in Australia. The 15 hectare park is located on the south bank of the Maribyrnong River in Footscray.

It is classified as a heritage place on the Victorian Heritage Register for its aesthetic, horticultural and social significance to the State of Victoria and was the first gardens to be placed on the register. The park is noted for its botanical collection, ornamental ponds and garden structures. Facilities include a playground, large open spaces, shelters, BBQs and an outdoor stage.

The entrance to the park on Ballarat Road features stone walls and wrought iron grates which incorporate the wording 'Footscray Park'. A World War I memorial which was unveiled in 1922 stands at the entranceway. It features an Italian-sculpted marble statue of Victory on a granite base.

A mounted bust of Henry Lawson honours the Australian poet and writer and the inaugural Henry Lawson Literary Society commemorative event held in the park.

The park has two major paths running east-west along the embankment which are bisected by a north-south path (the T.B. Drew Memorial Walk) which descends the embankment through a wisteria-covered arbour to Thomson Water Garden.

The Alfred Green Memorial Fountain (locally known as the 'platypus fountain') is an unusual granite fountain that is supported at its base by two sculpted platypus.

The park also has open playing fields on the flat area near the river.

Review:

The park has a nice mix of gardens, pond, playground, open grassy play areas, bust of writer Henry Lawson, picnic facilities and path along the Maribyrnong River.

For the exercise minded, there are two exercise stations along the river path. The most eastern one has a shoulder press/lat pull down, cross trainer and rowing machine. About 200m west is another exercise station with stepper, ab cruncher/chin-ups and butterfly press.

Footscray Park (Footscray)

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