The following timeline chronologically outlines the key dates in the history of Centennial Parklands. The information is taken from the Centennial Parklands Conservation Management Plan.

Legend:

CP = Centennial Park
MP = Moore Park
QP = Queens Park

 

1887

• NSW Premier Henry Parkes took office (5th term)
• Centennial Park and Queens Park created by the Centenary Celebrations Act 1887
• Colonial Secretaries Office administers Centennial Park
• James Jones appointed as Head Gardener, Overseer of Centennial Park until 1889
• Busby’s Bore disconnected in July
• Sir Henry Parkes’ State House proposal.
• Construction of perimeter of fence around Centennial Park commenced; roads laid out: Lang, Cook, Robertson and Martin Roads and Mitchell Street together with Darval, Badham (now Dibbs St) and Oxley Streets (now extended Martin Road) laid out. Grand Drive extended into Moore Park.
• Charles Moore takes charge of the Lachlan Reserve
• Grand Drive constructed - 4km road and 3.6km walking path.

1888

• Public Works Act.
• CP: officially opened 26th January
• CP: administered by Chief Ministers Office
• CP: Dams shaped
• CP: Paddington Gates & Woollahra Gates constructed
• CP: State House proposal abandoned due to political & cost considerations;
• MP: Lake Kippax named and periphery plantings.

1889

• CP: initial plantings
• CP: 11 statutes and two vases installed;
• CP: regulations implemented.
• CP: James Jones dismissed as Head Gardener.
• Arbor Day established
• Sydney’s population 124,000

1890

• CP: Two sandstone columns installed (from the Australian Museum)
• CP: Various Military Reviews held in the park.
• MP: Cleveland Street Tramway extension and additional turning loops in Moore Park-Cricket-Sports Ground Loop.
• Model Yachts were sailed in the Ponds of Centennial Park
• Centennial Park Model Yacht Club was established.

c1890

• MP: Randwick Road Toll House ceased operation - tolls ceased around this time. Demolished circa 1909 (now Tay Reserve)
• Driver Avenue laid out following closure of Rifle Range to connect Lang and Moore Park Roads, (named after Richard Driver - solicitor to the City of Sydney Council who later secured the Military Cricket Ground for the NSW Cricket Association)

1891

• Governor Carrington ends office
• CP: Superintendent’s Residence constructed near Paddington Gates
• Cricket permitted in certain parts of Centennial Park and Moore Park and was later played in Queens Park due to growing demand.

1892

• CP: Kiosk constructed; perimeter fence construction begun.
• CP: First organised football & cricket matches held in the park.
• CP: Park establishment funds dried up

1893

• CP: “We Won” sculpture by Tommaso Sani installed

1894

• CP: Drinking fountains installed in the park.
• Picnics officially allowed in the Parklands

1895

• QP: Australian Golf Club established in Queens Park as an 11-hole Golf course

1896

• CP: Charles Moore’s period as Director of RBG ends. Succeeded by Joseph Henry Maiden who administers
  Centennial Park until 1924
• CP: Broad leaved paper barks (Melaleuca quinquenervia) planted

1897

• CP: Marble statue of Sir Henry Parkes installed
• CP: Grand Drive trees replaced
• CP: Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations held in the park
• Public Trusts Act

1898

• CP: Construction of water reservoir (Reservoir No.1) completed. In service 1899.
• CP: Tennis courts constructed on top of Reservoir No.1.
• CP: Vernon Pavilion (designed by NSW Government Architect, Walter Vernon) and Vent House completed

1899

• CP: Rangers house at Martin Road constructed
• CP: Queens Park Golf Course moved to Botany

1900

• CP: Ceremonial Swearing-in Pavilion and Bandstand constructed in park
• CP: A bandstand was constructed and regular concerts were held there from 1901 until the 1930’s.
• CP: Cyclists’ Avenue opened to the Public.

1900s

• Fly cast fishing competitions and activities in the ponds.

1901

• CP: Federation ceremony conducted in Snake Valley (Federation Valley), 1st January and attracted a crowd of more than 60,000; Aborigines excluded
• MP: Council Incinerator known as the “Perfectus” Refuse Destructor and Disinfector opened.
• CP: Crowds gathered for the mourning of the death of Queen Victoria.
• Bubonic plague in Sydney

1904

• CP: Centenary Park Sale Act; Land sales of 41 hectares to finance park construction

1905

• CP: Construction of housing estate begins along Lang and Martin Roads.
• First use of motor vehicles in the park

1906

• ES Marks athletics field (first known as the Sydney Athletics Field) constructed.

1908

• CP: Administration taken over by Department of Agriculture
• CP: Kiosk refurbished & made into a cyclists’ pavilion
• CP: Dickens Drive widened
• CP: Phoenix canariensis palms planted along Parkes and Dickens Drives
• MP: Tram Depot established
• CP: Celebrations as Australian troops participate in review to celebrate the “Great White American Fleet” visit

1909

• Randwick Road Toll House demolished (site of the tollhouse known as Tay Reserve).

1910

• CP: Rose Garden laid out.
• CP: Gathering for the mourning of the death of King Edward VII (20th May) in park.

1912

• CP: Formal flower gardens laid out in Centennial Park.
• Public Parks Act

1913

• A nine-hole golf course on the portion of Moore Park called the Municipal Golf Links was opened.

1914

• WWI declared. Parklands used by troops for parade drill. Against government policy, hundreds of Aborigines enlist in AIF
• CP: toilet amenities constructed
• CP: Park closed at night to vehicles

1915

• CP: Parks emphasis on maintenance rather than change

1916

• Moore Park Zoo ceased to exist (moved to Taronga Park)

1917

• MP: Randwick Road widened and renamed Anzac Parade, includes commemorative obelisk; Moore Park gate posts relocated to align with widened road
• CP: Tennis on reservoirs ceased

1918

• CP: Thanksgiving Service held for the end of WWI
• CP: Much vegetation killed or badly damaged due to a very dry spell that continued until early 1920s

1919

• CP: End of WWI peace celebrations held in the park
• CP: Park was declared a sanctuary for birds & animals
• MP: Former zoo site dedicated for Sydney Girls High School

1920

• CP: Canon from Crimean War installed in the park.
• CP: First Arbor Day tree plantings in the park.
• The Moore Park Golf Club formed.
• Organised cricket revived after being disrupted during World War I.

1921

• MP: Sydney Girls’ High School opened.
• CP: Sheep agisted to the park due to severe drought.
• MP: Two turf wickets established by the City & Suburban Cricket Association & privately maintained (laid out on the former polo grounds in Moore Park).
• CP: Centennial Park Cricket Association comprising over thirty clubs & Metropolitan Junior Rugby Union using park.

1922

• Proposal to extend York Road through Queens Park to Victoria Street
• An additional 9 holes were added to the Municipal Golf Links on the southern side of Dacey Avenue.

1924

• MP: Moore Park Golf Course opened, additions made to the former “toll house” to adapt to its new use.
• CP: Joseph Henry Maiden ended office
• Main Roads Act

1925

• CP: Agreement between Premier TR Bevin, Department of Agriculture, Sydney Boys High School & Sydney Old Boys Union (OBU) to permissive occupancy of 19 acres of Centennial Parklands for playing fields.
• McKay Oval constructed.
• CP: Joseph Maiden died (16 November). Annual reports ceased to be published. Reservoir No 2 constructed
• Moore Park Model Yacht Club was established and sailed boats

1926

• Introduction of the 44 hour week
• Centennial Park Model Yacht Club ceased sailing their boats due to silt in the Pond.

1927

• Vent House formerly used as tennis pavilion removed from Reservoir No 1

1928

• MP: Sydney Boys’ High School opened
• CP: Gates opposite Cleveland Street removed; Men’s underground toilets demolished

1929

• CP: Relief work fund provided for remedial works throughout the park.
• CP: York Road extended through Queens Park to join Victoria Street.
• CP: Proposal by private company to use 100 acres of CP for trade exhibition rejected.

1930

• Eastern Suburbs Hospital Bill; Land grant to Eastern Suburbs Hospital
• CP: Fencing & Brolga Gate installed at Bird Sanctuary.
• Parks and Playground movement established in Sydney.

1931

• CP: The Old Boys Union of Sydney Boys’ High School arrange construction of tennis courts for its sister school, Sydney Girls’ High. (Now Parklands Sports Centre).

1932

• CP: Fairland Pavilion constructed for Sydney Boys High School
• Dam removed from Queens Park.
• CP: Model Flying Club use park.

1933

• MP: Proposal by Sydney Municipal Council for additional refuse destructor, designed by Walter Burley Griffin, rejected by Metropolitan Land Board following strong community opposition.

1935

• Eastern Suburbs Hospital constructed on York Road

1936

• Buildings at ES Marks Athletics Field were established.

1937

• Bandstand no longer in use.

1938

• CP: Agreement between Christian Brothers College, Waverley and state government to use Queens Park for sports.
• Lighting proposal (later rejected)
• CP: Brolga Gate and Bird Sanctuary completed
• CP: Naval and Military Review attended by 150,000 for Sesqui-Centenary Celebrations (January 31)
• CP: Empire Day cycle race held in the park
• MP: Dacey Avenue replaced a former informal road

1940

• CP: Part of park occupied by the military for two years

1942

• CP: Military ends partial occupation of the park

1944

• MP: Lawn Bowling Club established next to former toll house, and operated until 1998. Site operated as Tennis courts until April 2001.

1946

• CP: Park Kiosk destroyed by fire

1947

• CP: Air raid shelters removed from the park

1950

• CP: Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted first outdoor performance in the park.
• CP: SMH sports stadium proposal (debate continues for years)

1951

• CP: Jubilee of Federation celebrations attended by 2,000- 3,000 people

1952

• CP: Robertson Road Gates and the Lang Road Gates were built.

1954

• CP: State Cabinet separate Queens Park from Centennial Park and place it under trust.
• CP and MP: Empire Games athletics events held in CP & at ES Marks

1957

• CP: Proposal to develop sports area in Queens Park

1960

• CP: Rudder & Rudder proposal for sports stadium (later rejected).
• CP: Government proposal to give 30 acres of the south west of the park to Randwick Council for a golf course.
• CP: Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Alderman HF Jenson proposal for a rustic fairyland comprising lake canoeing, restaurant and open air theatre, rejected.
• QP: A playground was provided in Queens Park.

1961

• Eastern Suburbs Dog Training Club was established.

1963

• CP: Premier Heffron announces his decision to allow development of southern part of park (decision rescinded in 1964).
• CP: Administration attacked over issues of maintenance and use

1964

• CP: Depot buildings replaced

1965

• CP: Royal Agricultural Show use Parklands for parking at show time.
• CP: Renovation of the horse track

1966

• CP: First major tree planting since 1930.
• CP: Stables for Rangers horses

1967

• CP: Pine trees planted near Parade Grounds by school children for Arbor Day
• Referendum: 90% majority for constitutional change to count Aborigines in census and allowing Federal Parliament to pass laws about Aborigines.

1969

• CP: Spring Festival attracts 60,000 crowd.

1970

• CP: Original Sir Henry Parkes statue destroyed; other statues removed / stored

1972

• CP and MP: The 1988 Olympic Organising committee proposed a 40ha sporting complex in Moore Park, main stadium to be located in Centennial Park's South West area. As part of the “Save the Parks” campaign, Patrick White, Harry M Miller, Professor Neil Runcie are joined by 3,500 protestors against proposed sports complex development. Jack Mundy’s BLF green bans.

1975

• OTC cables runs through CP

1976

• CP: Centennial Park listed as Landscape Conservation Area with National Trust Australia (NSW)

1978

• CP: Listed on the Register of the National Estate (March 21).
• CP: Grand Drive “One Way” system reversed

1979

• CP: Centennial Park and RBG came under the administration of the Premiers Department (31st March)

1980

• CP: Independent Board of Advice appointed to prepare report on developing a Plan of Management for Centennial Park (July 1st)
• CP: Administration handed over to the Premier’s Department, formally severing ties with the RBG.
• Installation of additional barbecues for picnickers throughout the 1980s

1982

• John Mortimer, appointed first Director of Centennial Park (4th January)

1983

• Centennial Park Trust Act (2nd November) (later amended to include Moore Park)

1984

• Centennial Park Trust appointed to administer Centennial Park and Queens Park

Mid 1980s

• CP: Ponds overflow

1986

• Administration handed to the Department of Environment and Planning

1987

• Moore Park Supa Centa constructed and opened
• New restaurant/café built on the corner of Parkes Drive and Grand Drive on the site of the former kiosk / cyclists’ pavilion.

1988

• Bicentenary celebrations - Federation Pavilion opened as a Bicentenary monument. Trust placed under the Department of Environment and Planning (26th August)
• Large Aboriginal protest with representatives from across Australia centred on Sydney. Many camped at La Perouse.
• “Centennial Park – a History” (Paul Ashton and Kate Blackmore) published.

1990

• Robin Grimwade, Director of Centennial Park, Moore Park & Queens Park until 1999
• Trust renamed as Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust to include the administration of Moore Park (previously managed by South Sydney City Council).

1992

• CP: Reservoir No. 1 drained for cleaning and opened for viewing to the public
• Prime Minister Keating’s Redfern Park speech to launch United Nations Year of Indigenous People acknowledges past injustices due to government policy

1993

• Federal Parliament passes Native Title Act

1993-94

• Moriah College Queens Park campus constructed

1995

• First Plan of Management produced for Centennial Parklands

1996

• CP: New Administration Building completed
• CP: New Sir Henry Parkes statue unveiled by Premier of NSW, Bob Carr
• Friends of Centennial Parklands group launched
• Centennial Parklands first used to describe collective CPMPT landholdings. Land Survey undertaken

1997

• Opening of the Wetlands Interpretative Maze at the Duck Pond.
• Concert for Life fundraising event held and attracted approximately 80,000 people.
• CP: Stage 1 of Ponds Restoration Program: Model Yacht Pond and Fly Casting Pond works

1997-1998

• CP: Stage 1b of Ponds Restoration Program: Willow Pond and Fly Casting Pond viewing platforms and beach construction

1998

• CP: Opening of Lachlan Swamp Nature Trail by NSW Minister for the Environment Pam Allen and La Perouse Elders.
• CP: Trust obtains collection of Austin Platt art works and etchings.
• RAS Showground site vested in CP&MPT. RAS Show moves to Homebush. York Road remnant site (Lot 23 portion) vested in CP&MPT.
• Centennial Square established next to Flycasting Pond as a marquee site.
• MP: Refurbishment & opening of the Equestrian Centre.
• Hermés International Equestrian Show Jumping Event.
• First National Sorry Day (May 26) – Australian Reconciliation Movement hosted Sydney’s official Sorry Day events in Centennial Parklands in 1998, 1999.

1998-99

• MP: South Dowling Street widened for the Eastern Distributor.
• CP: Stage 2 of Ponds Restoration Program: Willow Pond, One More Shot Pond, Musgrave Pond works

1999

• Peter Duncan took office as Director of Centennial Parklands

1999-2000

• CP: Stage 3 of Ponds Restoration Program: Duck Pond works

2000

• MP: Moore Park West capital works makeover commenced.
• Centennial Parklands listed on NSW State Heritage Register
• Restoration of Federation Pavilion and Federation Valley
• Parklands used as Olympics and Paralympics venue – Marathon, Road Cycling events represented by the “thin blue line”CP: Sea of Hands Reconciliation event marked by installation at Paddington Gates

2001

• CP: Centenary of Federation celebrations
• MP: Installation of Federation Way (reinstatement of Grand Drive), Federation Gate and Federation Place as part of the Centenary of Federations celebrations
• CP: Superintendent’s Residence refurbished and opened for public exhibitions
• CP: Opening of Hand Upon Hand Sculpture and Avenue of Nations (NZ Kauri Pines on Parkes Drive)

2002

• CP: Kensington Pond culvert collapsed following heavy rains in February. Severe drought from March 2002 until May 2003. Ponds very low.
• Whole of Centennial Parklands listed on Register of the National Estate
• CP: Stages 5 & 6 (including deferred Stage 4) of Ponds Restoration Program commenced: Randwick Pond, Busby’s Pond works

2003

• Heaviest rain in 4 decades. Ponds overflow.
• Rehabilitation of remnant ESBS commenced.

2004

• Steve Corbett took office as Director and Chief Executive of Centennial Parklands.
• Centennial Parklands Foundation launched its fundraising activities.
• Drought conditions hit Parklands hard with ponds drying up.
• MP: Moore Park Rotunda opened following refurbishment.

2005

• MP: Major renovation works at Moore Park Golf Driving Range, Golf House, Pro Shop

2006

• Centennial Parklands Plan of Management 2006-2016 completed.
• CP: Completed $3m upgrade of Grand Drive

2007

• CP: Centennial Parklands restaurant closes for refurbishment (Apr '07).
• MP: New roof installed on outdoor arena at Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre, also water tanks to capture and reuse run-off
• MP: Outbreak of Equine Influenza across NSW results in the Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre being quarantined for nearly two months.

2008

• CP: Papal visit to Centennial Park as part of World Youth Day '08.
• CP: Centennial Parklands Dining (Restaurant, Cafe and Kiosk) re-opens to the public (Oct '08).
• CP: Centennial Parklands Visitor Information Counter opens (Oct '08).
• MP: Australian Film, Television and Radio School relocates to the Entertainment Quarter

2009

• CP: Centennial Parklands Restaurant playground re-opened after refurbishment (Jan '09).
• CP: Education Precinct is launched in front of the Minister for Sport and Recreation (Jul '09)