DEDMAN PARK

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

Dedman Park is of social significance to the community of North Fremantle as an area of open space and for the activities that are held there. It has historic significance as the site of Chinese Market Gardens from 1898-1947.

Physical Description

Dedman Park is a green belt that runs from Thompson Road through to Stirling Highway. It is predominantly a grassed and treed park area. The bowling club is adjacent. The facilities include a play area with climbing and swinging equipment for children. There is a limestone and concrete ramp leading from Thompson Road to the park.

History

The portion of Stirling Highway to the north of Queen Victoria Street was originally part of Perth Road. The area developed with mixed residential, commercial and industrial uses from the 1860s following the construction of the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the upgrading of Perth Road by convicts. The portion of Stirling Highway to the south of Queen Victoria Street was formerly called Bruce Street and was widened and renamed following the completion of Stirling Bridge in 1974. In 2005, the highway continues to have a mix of uses.
The area between Harvest Road and 16 Thompson Road, and from Stirling Highway on the west through to Thompson Road was the site of Chinese Gardens from 1898, with Lee Man listed as the market gardener at that time. The Chinese Gardens were there until circa 1947.
Dedman Park was established c1948 on the site of a former Chinese market garden. The land was vested in the City of Fremantle in 1956 (Reserve 24352) and extended in 1985 (Reserve 39041). The Bowling Club was established in the 1960s and the site was extended in the 1980s to accommodate the community centre. The park is named for Gordon F. Dedman, who was a Councillor for North Fremantle 1936-1948 and Mayor of Fremantle 1948-1950.
This place has been identified in 'Fremantle's Landscape: A Study for the Municipal Inventory' as being of cultural heritage significance'. It was also included in the "North Fremantle Heritage Study", prepared by Craig Burton, for the City of Fremantle, June 1994.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.