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RESERVE - MERRI PARK SPORTS GROUND

Location

33 ST GEORGES ROAD, NORTHCOTE, DAREBIN CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
Merri Park at St Georges Road, Northcote was granted as a park in 1909, and permanently reserved in 1927. Part of the park's permanent reservation was the negotation of use rights with the (then proposed) adjacent Northcote High School. The school continues to use the site today. Improvements were made to the park around 1909, although it is unlikely that any evidence of this phase remains. Later improvements included the construction of a gateway and sign, fronting St Georges Road.

The stone entrance gateway constructed as part of the inter-war improvements to Merri Park is significant.

Later additions, including the recently constructed recreation facilities and landscaping are not significant.

How is it significant?
Merri Park at St Georges Road, Northcote is of local historic significance to Darebin City.

Why is it significant?
Historically, Merri Park is significant for the historic association of part of the site with the former Inebriates Retreat, operated by Sumner from 1873 to 1891. Historically, Merri Park is also significant as one of the earliest areas acquired by Council for parks and reserves between 1907 and 1933, and for the evidence it provides of Council's objective to provide open space in the interests of the health and recreation of present and future citizens of Northcote, as well as of later programs of beautification that coincided with the jubilee celebrations of the City of Northcote. (AHC criteria A.4, D.2)

Group

Recreation and Entertainment

Category

Playing Ground/ Field