Rosalie Park

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic and historic significance as a parkland reserve in Subiaco, and has social significance to the community as a place for social and recreational activities.

Physical Description

Large expanse of open space, with a single storey brick and iron building as clubrooms overlooking the grassed sports ground. Mature pine and other trees line the edges. There are floodlights around the oval, and a parking area to the west side on Derby Road. On the north side facing Onslow Road is the former Croquet Club, now the Palms Community Centre.

History

The park was levelled and seeded in the early 1950s. In the 1960s, floodlights were installed for the soccer club, the park was reticulated, and a carpark built on Derby Road. The Subiaco Cricket Club based itself there in 1965, and a pavilion and changerooms was built. The Pine Trees were threatened in 1984 when the Council planned to redevelop Rosalie Park. Residents fought to save the trees as a remnant of the past. (Ref: Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, p. 310-12, 350.) Originally, the area around Shenton Park Lake was a favourite gathering place for Aboriginal people. Shenton Park was originally known as West Subiaco. The Rosalie Park (originally spelt Rosalea) land release in the north east portion of the precinct east of Hensman Road, and the City of Perth Estate (1896) bounded by Commercial, Onslow, Herbert and Aberdare were the first areas to develop. There was also the Subiaco Highlands Estate bounded by Hilda, Onslow, Derby and Aberdare. West Subiaco, like Jolimont, was perceived as isolated from the heart of Subiaco, with most facilities being north of Hamersley Road. After 1910, Shenton Park's development was boosted by construction through the Workers' Homes Act 1912. The commercial strip developed along Onslow Road, and also Nicholson Road, where the Shenton Park Hotel was built in 1907. The Shenton Picture Gardens opposite from 1920s provided local entertainment for many years. The Rosalie Primary School opened in 1906. The Subiaco Football Club was originally based at Shenton Park Lake, and it was assumed that the recreation area would develop as the municipality's main sporting facility. However, the football club relocated to Mueller Park in 1908. Onslow Road was gazetted by 1883 and named after Sir A C Onslow, Chief Justice. Waylen Road was named after Dr Alfred Waylen, Colonial Surgeon. Derby Road was named after Lord Derby, Secretary for Colonies. Hensman Road was named after Mr A P Hensman, Judge and Attorney General. (Sources: Wise's Post Office Directory 1905-1925; Real Estate Maps, Battye Library Collection; Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 146-150; Chate, A, H., History of Subiaco, c1952.)

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update