Mary Carroll Park and White Gums

Statement of Significance

This park has historic value for its association with local resident, Mary Carroll who was a committed primary teacher and naturalist. The place has aesthetic value for its collection of mature trees clustered around the wetlands in an undulating landscape.

Physical Description

Mary Carroll Park is a large area of open space and lake with an abundance of mature trees and native plantings. The wetlands are an important bird habitat and the reserve generally is an important inner city recreation and natural environment space for the local community. Often in summer the wetlands are dry due to decreasing rainfall. The eucalyptus trees along Verna Street form the edge of Mary Carroll Park and form an important element of the street character with the tall mature specimens forming a dominant boundary between the park and surrounding residential developments.

History

Reserved in 1971, this bird sanctuary and park was named after Mary Carroll, a naturalist and former teacher at the adjoining Gosnells Primary School (1923-56). Mary Carroll Park has become the focus of considerable community interest and is supported by ongoing rehabilitation initiatives by a range of stakeholders including the Friends of Mary Carroll Park, the Gosnells Primary School, South East Regional Centre of Urban Landcare (SERCUL) and the Armadale-Gosnells Landcare Group (AGLG). Prior to the creation of the park the land around the lake appears to have been privately owned and the site of the white gums was the location of a private residence. Aerial photographs of the site indicate that this group of white gums originated with a planting program in the 1980s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High degree Authenticity: High degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update