Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
bounded by Wellington, Colin & Delhi Sts West Perth
Delhi Square
Perth
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1896 to 1900, Constructed from 1975
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 30 Mar 2007 | |
| State Register | Registered | 30 Mar 2007 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Completed\Draft | 13 Mar 2001 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 13 Mar 2001 | Category 1 | |
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 28 Mar 2023 | Category 1 | |
| Local Heritage Survey | Completed\Draft | Category 1 | ||
| Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 | YES | 31 Dec 1999 | ||
The place is an excellent and rare example of the Paradise Garden style designed landscape, containing some early tree plantings, and overlaid with the informal planning of the present gardens that includes lakes, a waterfall, cascade, footbridges, and plantings of predominantly exotic trees, shrubs and ground covers. The place is an important example of creative landscape design, significant for its innovation and achievement in the 1970s, which introduced a number of new species into public gardens in this State, some among them being among the first such use in public gardens in Australia, and some specifically for this project being propagated for the first time from seed or cuttings of indigenous plants collected in various regions of Australia. The place commemorates the notable contribution of prominent architect and town planner Harold Boas to the City of Perth as a Perth City Councillor (1914-16, 1926-42, 1944), and in particular his influential role in assuring the inclusion of public parks and gardens in the development of town planning for the city. The place is a good example of a work designed by Landscape Architect Peter Cala and Ecologist/Landscape Architect Marion Blackwell, of Blackwell & Cala. The place is highly valued by the community as a well-used photographic backdrop and a landscape landmark. The place is important for its contribution as a teaching site, used by tertiary institutions and as a reference site.
A garden consisting of organic shaped garden beds, lawn, two ornamental lakes and waterfalls. Stone paths and steps are located through the garden. The gardens are at street level on Wellington Street and people move through the sloped areas to the ground level on Delhi Street.
The establishment of parks was closely linked to wealth with the result that Perth did not begin to develop comprehensive system of parks until after the goldrushes of the 1890's. Public debate on the lack of park land in Perth was voiced in editorials in the newspapers between 1875 and 1886. The provision of a network of parklands in central Perth and around the river were the themes central to these concerns. A garden has been located on the place since c1898-1901 when the first garden was laid out by the City of Perth, designed by gardener John Braithwaite. At that time, it was called Delhi Square. The design included extensive grassed areas, a central garden bed, trees and radial paths. In 1914 the external fence was removed from this park, as well as many others in the city. The current form of the garden was designed in 1975-1976 designed by Peter Cala and Marion Blackwell in the Paradise Garden style. The redesigned garden was renamed Harold Boas Gardens. Mature trees were retained, and the landscaping included hills and water features. Many new trees and shrubs were planted which suited the new environment, some were uncommon at the time and were grown specifically for the garden. In 1976 the garden was renamed Harold Boas Gardens to commemorate the service of former Perth City Councillor Harold Boas.
High level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity.
Fair
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Cala and Marion Blackwell | Architect | - | - |
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Register of Heritage Places – Assessment Documentation Harold Boas Gardens | 2007 | ||
| Survey of Historical Sites in the Central Area of Perth | 1992 |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7814 | A fairer Athens and a freer Rome: historic public gardens in Perth, WA. | Journal article | 1982 |
| 9558 | Harold Boas gardens conservation and management plan: part 1 - conservation plan final report; part 2 - management plan. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2010 |
Urban Park
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | PARK\RESERVE | Park\Reserve |
| Present Use | PARK\RESERVE | Park\Reserve |
| Style |
|---|
| Other Style |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Environmental awareness |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Sport, recreation & entertainment |
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