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Footscray Park War Memorial

Location

BALLARAT ROAD FOOTSCRAY, Maribyrnong City

File Number

Original Hermes No: 1868

Level

[1/2]
FOOTSCRAY PARK SOHE 2008
[2/2]
h01220 plan h1220

Statement of Significance

The entrance to Footscray Park on Ballarat Road features stone walls and wrought iron grates which incorporate the wording "Footscray Park". A World War I memorial which was unveiled in 1922 stands at the entranceway. It features an Italian-sculpted marble statue of Victory on a granite base.

Footscray Park of 15 hectares (37 acres) was permanently reserved in 1911 as a site for a Public Park and Recreation purposes. The park's creation was largely due to the efforts of the citizens of Footscray who successfully lobbied the State Government and the Victorian Racing Club for the reservation of the park, and then contributed to its development through donations of labour and plants, with the local technical school building the lookout shelter.

Footscray Park is of historic, aesthetic, scientific (horticultural) and social significance to the State of Victoria.It is historically important as an important Edwardian styled garden from the early twentieth century in Victoria. Designed in 1911 by the prominent architect Rodney Alsop, the majority of the layout and landscape features occurred under the direction of David Mathews from 1916 until about 1940. Mathews continued to develop and care for the Park until his retirement in 1964. The Park is important for its fine collection of garden structures, ornamental ponds, formal and informal path layout, and a rich plant collection.

Group