KELLY PARK

HO16. HERITAGE OVERLAY 16

Name Kelly Park

Address Cherry St (cnr Princes Hwy) Werribee

Significance Level Local Place Type Reserve

Citation Date 1997

This park, located on an acre of land in Section 23A in the Township of Werribee, was first gazetted in 1864 and permanently reserved in 1946.[1] It is named after Patrick Kelly, who was Shire President from 1876 to 1880. Kelly was also founder in 1870 of the Wyndham Ratepayers Association, founded in protest against the action of the Chirnsides in fencing off public roads.[2] The park now contains the RSL and Elderly Citizens Buildings and a playground.[3] It was one of a number of public reserves and other community facilities established after the formation of the Wyndham Road District in 1862 and the creation of the Shire in 1864.[4] Originally this park, with Troup Park, had rose gardens, fountains, and was used for promenade walks on summer evenings and after attending church.[5]

REFERENCES [1] RS 4766. [2] Bronwen Hickman, pers. comm.; Place identified at Wyndham Heritage Study meeting on 21/12/95. [2] Werribee. The First Hundred Years.ed.K. N. James, p.39. [3] Short Tour and Map of Township, Werribee District Historical Society, p.1. [4] James, p.41. [5] Short Tour and Map of Township, p.3

Physical Description Kelly Park, a large parkland with mature trees, forms an important landscape element of the entry into Werribee township from Melbourne. Many large specimen trees grace Kelly Park - pines, Moreton Bay Figs, pepercrons, date palms, cypresses and others. A number of buildings have been added to the Park over the years, particularly the RSL and Senior Citizens Centre. While providing important community services, the design of these buildings is not in sympathy with the character of the Park. A plaque in the Park commemorates the work of the Women's Land Army in the Werribee District, 1942-45. The Park, and especially the large trees, are regarded as an important landmark by the community.(Mtg. 21/12/95)