Snell Park and Trees

Parent Place or Precinct

11994 Harvey Railway Station Precinct

Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and townscape in Harvey. The well maintained gardens are a landmark in the town.
• The place has historic value for its association with Alfred James Snell who was an active community member and made a major contribution to the establishment of public gardens in Harvey.

Physical Description

The park occupies a corner position on the eastern side of Hayward Street at its intersection with Uduc Road. The landscaped gardens contain a myriad of plantings including mature trees and well planted flower beds, together with ornamental rose gardens. The park further contains a number of other elements including a hexagonal seated area of timber and metal construction, with tiled paths running through a circular rose garden. The park also contains a commemorative stone well constructed in 1958 in memory of Francis Gordon Stimson. Low level bushes create a boundary between the road and gardens along Uduc Road.

There are several large and healthy specimens of exotic trees within the Park.

History

This park recognises the contribution of local resident Alfred James Snell (1863-1936). Snell had settled in Harvey following his career with the West Australian Government Railways. Alfred Snell was employed by the West Australian Government Railways (WAGR) in the position of District Traffic Superintendent of the South West Region from 1896 to 1911. He had trained in England before moving to Singapore and then Western Australia.

On his resignation due to ill health he moved to Harvey to oversee the citrus property he had purchased in 1906. The family home, Devonia, was located opposite the railway station. Alf Snell oversaw several small businesses in Harvey and was particularly interested in the irrigation program in the district. The provision and maintenance of public parks in the town of Harvey was an area of particular enthusiasm for him in his public life. He worked particularly hard to establish this park and its exotic trees.

In 1918, the Harvey Road Board authorised the planting of a number of exotic trees in the streets of Harvey. These included Araucaria Heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine), Phoenix Dactylifera (Date Palm), and Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor Laurel). It is likely that some of the trees in Snell Park originate from this period.

Snell Park was established in 1936, the year of Alf Snell’s death. The CWA Rest Room and Meeting Hall within the park were built in the same year and many of the trees may date from this period.

It was noted in 1938 that an active policy of tree planting was pursued in Harvey, Brunswick and Benger. With a view to foster in children a civic pride, competitions were held at Harvey and Benger for the best attended tree. A wishing well was erected in the park in 1958 in honour of F G Stimson by the Rotary Club of Harvey.

Integrity/Authenticity

High/ High

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.