In Centennial Park’s 125th Anniversary year, we’ve received some great personal stories, anecdotes and photos from a wide range of park visitors. Today’s guest blog is from Patricia Sansour who has been coming to the Park for 50 years!
My memories of Centennial Park go from wild to romantic to joyful and peaceful.
As a teenager in the 1960’s I went horse riding around the Park. My horse went wild and galloped to the bank of one of the ponds. He stopped suddenly at the edge but I managed to stay on by gripping onto his mane! His response was to try to bite my foot. Eventually we managed to return peacefully to the stables.
I also went bike riding and learnt to drive a car around the Park.
The romantic memory is of my fiance and I spending an afternoon on the sunny banks of the large pond watching the ducks and birds. Years later during many picnics we introduced our four children one by one to the treasures of this Park.
Patricia and her family in Centennial Park (circa 1977)
The birds, the ducks, the beautiful Rose garden and the ‘Monet’ Bridge [Ed: Lily Pond Bridge] were favourites along with the huge trees with falling bark. I would explain how the Aboriginals painted on bark.
Now my children have seven children, my grandchildren, who likewise love the ducks and enjoying the great outdoors that this Park provides.
It really is a national treasure and has given me many happy memories.
– Patricia Sansour
Thanks Patricia, great memories and without a doubt a long-time lover of this Park.
Do you have a favourite story, memory or photo from the past like Patricia? We’d love to hear from you. This was nicknamed ‘the People’s Park’ at its opening, and through your stories and memories, we’re pretty certain it remains ‘the People’s Park’ 125 years later.