Queens Park (Moonee Ponds)
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Queens Park is a small retreat from the busy streets near by. It is a popular park, featuring a rose and sunken gardens a lake and playgrounds.
A picturesque cottage is the focal point of the park with its idyllic surrounds and lovely public art pieces. A gravel path surrounds the lake where seats and picnic tables are provided beneath old established exotic trees, with the lake a haven for a variety of birds. A rose garden and a sunken garden are part of the many attractions of the park. Concerts and other entertainments are common on weekends.
Queens Park was originally used as a water reserve for travelling stock. It was also known to fortune seekers as the first camping ground on the way to the gold diggings. Burke and Wills camped near here on the first night of their journey. There is some artwork to recognise this.
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The name Queens Park was selected to honour and commemorate the Golden Jubilee
of Queen Victoria. On your trip around Queens Park, take time to enjoy the bird life and some of the magnificent flora. You should find Elms, Pepper Trees, Bunya Bunyas, Moreton Bay Figs, Flame Trees and more.
The two cannons at the corner of Pascoe Vale Road and Kellaway Avenue were presented to the citizens of Essendon in 1906. Look for the colourful mosaics around the old curator's cottage. The cottage dates back to 1891.
Facilities operating within Queens Park includes Moonee Ponds Bowling Club and Queens Park Pool.
Review:
A lovely location to wander about. The south east corner has a RSL commemoration area with two cannons, seat with a sculptured back and an Aleppo Pine. There are lush grassy areas scattered with different types of trees.
The south side of the park has two bocce courts with plenty of shaded and unshaded seating. There is also the Rotary Wishing Well and the tall RSL Remembrance Tower. Along the median strip is a Memorial Drinking Fountain by Dr J.A. Sutherland.
On the eastern side is a nice playground and a River Red Gum ecosystem around a huge example of such a tree with stepping log trails around it.
The middle of the park is a large pond with water fountains surging out of the middle of the lake. The wildlife is quite tame but please don't feed them since it is unhealthy for the birds. In the middle of the lake is an island - can you spot the kangaroo holding a football and an emu? There is a path around the lake and plenty of water taps. Fishing is not permitted in the lake.
On the western side of the lake is another playground and a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Explore the area around the cafe since there is plenty of artwork scattered about.
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Location
94 Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds 3039 Map
Web Links
→ Moonee Ponds Bowling Club
→ Queens Park Outdoor Pool
→ Queens Park Heritage Trail brochure (PDF)
