Bathurst Regional Council has called for a scoping study into the possible future uses of Centennial Park. Now, a determined group of community members have called for the public’s support to help ensure the park is kept as an open space. Peter Simmons remembers the park’s history with animals.
During its history, Centennial Park has long been a place for animals – including circuses, zoos, grazing, the edge of a stock route to market, and of course dog walkers.
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In its early years, the park was fenced with council by-laws declaring trespass by a range of animals, including dogs, not allowed.
“Every pig, dog, goat, horse, head of cattle, sheep, or other animal found trespassing within the enclosure shall be removed,” the by-law from 1896 stated.
“The owner thereof shall be liable to a fine.”
However, the grass grew long sometimes and must have been attractive to herds passing to and from market.
In 1893, the Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal reported horses grazing in the splendid pastures of Centennial Park being, and that it was a shame the animals were destroying the trees that were “growing nicely”.
In 1894, it reported that that the grass in Centennial Park was three feet (91.4 centimetres) long.
In 1901, the Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal reported that council had rejected a call for a water trough for cattle, noting that council would not receive any revenue by the erection of the trough.
The-then alderman Webb further questioned: “the advisability of allowing cows in the parks at all”.
In 1905, The Bathurst National Advocate reported instances of unlawful grazing by large stock in the park and the Council Parks committee was asked to uphold council’s motion preventing the grazing of livestock on the park.
In 1922, Bathurst police prosecuted Frederick Gornall for allowing his flock of 20 rams to “trespass” onto Centennial Park.
There are various stories in the Bathurst Times about Wirth’s circus in the 1920s.
Circuses approved
In March, 1930 the The Bathurst National Advocate reported council’s approval for the use of Centennial Park by visiting circuses when they came to town. The rental was five pounds per night with a 25 pound deposit.
Circuses banned!
In June 1953, the council banned the use of Centennial Park by visiting circuses because of the extensive use of the park as a play area by children, but then that decision was reversed in April, 1954.
Many older Bathurstians remember vividly and fondly that visiting circuses used Centennial Park as the home for their animals, as recently as the 1980s.
For school children in particular it was captivating to see elephants and lions in their own local park.
These days you won’t see elephants in Centennial Park, but you can see wild birds and possums.
As the surrounding areas have become increasingly densely populated, many residents still enjoy a walk through the park, especially to walk their dogs.
It’s also an off-leash dog park that is extremely popular, but then again, it seems the park has been always popular with animals.
What should I do now?
- Bathurst Regional Council has not ruled out buildings being constructed on Centennial Park.
- An online public survey has been launched so the community can have their say on Centennial Park’s future uses. Survey closes Monday, May 15, 2017. Complete the Centennial Park survey.
- ‘A Day in the Park’ on Sunday, May 21, 2017 will also provide an opportunity for those interested in the future of Centennial Park to give their views. On from 1-3pm in Centennial Park.