Allen Park, Melon Hill & Wood/Sayer Sts Walkway

Child Places

• 05154 Tuart Tree & Marri Tree
• 13705 Mattie Furphy's House
• 02368 Tom Collins House, Allen Park

Statement of Significance

Allen Park is a unique section of the Perth coastal region. Located in the City of Nedlands. the park is an asset
of regional importance. It contains areas of great natural beauty and significant local and regional
conservation areas as well as incorporating a wide range of active recreation facilities. The Park and its
environs aro highly valued by the City of Nedlands and the local community. The bushland within the park
has been classified by the National Trust for its high conservation value.

The Park has developed over many years and is named after a tireless individual who initiated many early
revegetation works, Mr John Allert. The Allen Park area also has links with one of Western Australia's most
prominent early authors. Joseph Furphy, who wrote under the pseudonym 'Tom Collins'.

Melon Rill is the most prominent natural landmark visible along this section of the coast. The Hill is on
Commonwealth land vested In the Department of Defence and until recently has been largely inaccessible to
the general public.

Physical Description

Allen Park is a mixture' of sports grounds and a bush area with a prominent natural landmark, Melon Hill.
There are three sports ovals. four bowling greens and eleven tennis courts (seven grass. four hardcourl).
There is a conglomeration of' buildings of varying styles within the Park. The buildings lack a unity of design,
a point strongly made in the management plan. Two cottages. the writers-in-residence house and Tom
Collins' house have been developed, with some sensitivity to their surroundings, There are a number of
mature trees that ring the sporting ground, most notable being the Norfolk pine trees. Melon Hill and the
sensitive ecology of that area is today being carefully monitored with community input through the Friends of
Allen Park Group.

History

Development of Allen Park is owed to Mr John (Jack) AJlen. the second longest serving councillor in the City
of Nedlands' history. Mr Allen was born in England, and having heard aboul Western Australia from army
comrades. he decided to migrate and bought a home at I Reeve Street, Swanbourne in 1919. TIe initiated
numerous tree planting programmes within the area. Some still remain today. They include Norfolk pine
trees, peppermints and Rottnest fir trees.

From his first years on the Road Board, Mr Allen provided a strong driving force for the purchase of what is
now Allen Park. He was particularly fascinated by the uniqueness of the vegetation of Melon Hill.

In 1924-25 the Claremont Road Board bought 15 acres of the Langoulant estate for a new sports ground.
Langoulant was the first permanent resident who established a farm in the area in 1869 called 'Pleasant
Valley', consisting of 40 acres of land. John Allen visited absent owners of some blocks, inducing them to
sell. Ile helped dig the park's first well, which went down 12 feet. He also assisted in laying it's first
reticulation system.

In 1931 the Claremont Road Board secured parliamentary approval to alter 'Throssel Park Reserve 7804' to
'Allen Park'. The boundaries of this reserve were changed to allow the local authority to dispose of certain
portions of it for residential purposes as they saw fit. In this way over 60 lots were sold. a portion of the
original reserve and moncy received was then spent further developing the area.

The author Joseph Furphy, who wrote under the pseudonym 'Tom Collins', also had substantial links with the
Allen Park area. His house in Servetus Street was one of the earliest dwellings in the area. Joseph Furphy
also helped construct a home for his SOil at the corner of Clement Street and Pine Close, overlooking Allen
Park. He was an avid observer of local natural history and the area now known as Allen Park Is mentioned
several times in his correspondence. Today (1998) Joseph Furphy's house is located at Allen Park. Saved
from demolition at the time of the widening of Servetus Street, the house is the home of the Fellowship of
Australian Writers who were largely responsible for the relocation.

The sports grounds within Allen Park include three ovals. four bowling greens and eleven tennis courts (seven
grass, four hardcourts), The sporting grounds are well utilised for football, rugby and cricket. dog training
and include three children's playgrounds. Also included within Allen Park management is the SwanbourneNcdlands
Life Saving Club which began in the Summer of 1931-32.

Until 1991. Melon Hill, was part of the Coastal Defence System as a site for a concrete pi llbox, now removed.
dating from the Second World War. After the outbreak of war in September 1939, 2 six Inch MK7 guns on
concrete pad mountings were operational. The functions of these were to:
• protect the port and shipping therein from bombardment and interference by enemy naval vessels:
• in co-operation with other arms and services including troops deployed by the Field Army, defend
the port against enemy invasions: and
• in co-operation with the Port War Signal Station, manned by the navy, eontrolthc movement of
shipping entering the port.

Condition

Well maintained

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.