Wilson Park

Statement of Significance

• The park has aesthetic value for its combination of grassed areas and mature trees in contrast to the surrounding suburban development. • The place has value for it association with the development of Rivervale in the 1950s and the provision of facilities for the growing community by the State Government. • The place has historic value for its association with Frank Wilson who made a significant contribution to the City of Belmont as a Councillor, Chairman and President. • The place is valued for organised sport and passive recreation and is regularly used by a broad cross section of the community.

Physical Description

Suburban park of grassy terraces, recreation and sports areas and supporting facilities.

History

This area of Rivervale was formerly subdivided for residential development in 1953 and homes were built rapidly during this period, particularly through programs of social housing overseen by the State Housing Commission. The Park was named in January 1965 in recognition of the community service of Francis David Wilson (c1910-1988). Frank Wilson began his working life as a labourer and later became a successful bookmaker. Between 1944 and 1968 he served on the Belmont Road Board, subsequently the Shire of Belmont. He was Councillor 1944-68, Road Board Chairman 1946-51, 1955-57 and Shire President 1967-68. In 1988, he was granted the honour of being the First Freeman of the City of Belmont. A reserve for the purpose of recreation, kindergarten, hall and civic centre was created in September 1954. This planned use was supplanted with the growth of netball in the 1970s and courts were built to support the popularity of this sport in the district. At the time the park was created it was largley uncleared scrub criss crossed with pathways as the local community walked to and from the Kooyong Road shops located on the same street block. By 1961, the land had been cleared and grass laid for organised sport and Gerring Court created to separate the park from the shops and residences. A small recreation centre (hall) was built on the Francisco Street boundary and trees planted on the boundary. Since then several facility buildings and playgrounds have been erected and removed. In 1979, the number of courts increased from 9 to 17. During the latest upgrades (2022/23) the number of courts was reduced to 11 netbal courts and one multicourt. Aerial photographs demonstrate this growth and change. The portion of the park on Kooyong Road was developed specifically for passive recreation by the creation of a lower level retained by stone walls c1981. Additional planting was undertaken at that time. The recreation centre is still located in the original location adjactent to Francsco Street, however it was replaced with a new building in 2001 (now called Rivervale Community Centre). The Netball Association have a separate premises on Gerring Court. The ogiringal recreation centre was used by the Rivervale-Carlisle sub branch of the RSL which was believed to be one of the strongest in the State. At the time the hall was replaced, the branch numbers were in decline and shortly after the the hall was finished the Carlisle-Rivervale branch amalgamated with the Belmont RSL. The place also has value to the local Aboriginal community and is a registered Aboriginal Site.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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