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RESERVE - EDWARDES LAKE AND PARK

Location

200A EDWARDES STREET, RESERVOIR, DAREBIN CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
Edwardes Lake Park, Edwardes Street, Reservoir, is a large park in the north of Darebin, an undulating picturesque landscape with meandering paths, specimen plantings, clumps and rows of trees, narrow streams (Edgars Creek) cascading over weirs, passing under bridges, and feeding into a large lake, peppered with sporting fields and recreational facilities. The park was formally donated to the citizens of Preston in 1914 by Thomas Edwardes Dwyer (whose family had owned the land since 1840). The lake was first used for boating (rowing) by the Preston Rowing Club from 1891.

While many modifications over the years have altered the integrity of Edwardes Lake Park, the park is in good condition, and a number of historic elements remain, such as the perimeter plantings of rows of and other mature specimen plantings, which serve as a reminder it the park's historic origins. Edwardes Lake Park continues to play a prominent and important role in the social and sporting life of the local community.

The following elements contribute to the significance of this place:
- the perimeter plantings (rows of Monterey Cypress, Radiata Pine)
- other mature trees (clumps and specimen plantings) within the park
- the lake
- Edgars Creek
- the undulating landform
- the range of recreational spaces and facilities (excluding fabric)
- the use of the space by the local community for a diverse range of recreational and social purposes.
- other trees
- paths
- landscaping, street furniture, bridges, etc
- the rose garden; and
- the locomotive.

The physical fabric of recent recreational facilities, paths, dams, weirs, bridges; landscape furniture; gateway; etc is not significant.

How is it significant?
Edwardes Lake Park, Edwardes Street, Reservoir is of local historic and social significance to Darebin City.

Why is it significant?
Historically, Edwardes Lake Park is significant as an important early recreational space in the City of Darebin, used for boating from 1891 and donated to the citizens of Preston in 1914. As well, it is important as one of the longest-standing, continuously used sporting and social venues in Darebin for a diverse range of recreational and social purposes by the local community. (AHC criteria A.4, B.2)

Historically, Edwardes Lake Park is significant for its associations with Mr Catani, presumably Mr Carlo Catani, Chief Engineer of the Victorian Public Works Department, who was hired by Preston Council in 1915 to lay out the park. (AHC criterion H.1)

Socially, Edwardes Lake Park is significant as a place that is held in high esteem by the local communities who use the place, and for whom the park plays an important role in their social and everyday lives. (AHC criterion G.1)

Group

Parks, Gardens and Trees

Category

Park or Garden Precinct