Did you know that there is a little mystery about the Sundial in Centennial Park? Located in one of the most popular spots in the Park - the Sundial can be found in Column Garden.
Sitting quietly (but centrally) in the Garden is an old sundial atop a sandstone plinth which features an inscription: "Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May". The sundial is certainly a lovely feature, but its origins remain a distinct mystery. One tale about how it came to be in the Park has been passed into folklore. Whether fact or urban myth, it is quite a tale.
The Centennial Park Sundial - a small feature with a big legend behind it.
How the sundial came to be
Several years ago one of the Parklands' Rangers was walking through
Column Garden when he was approached by an elderly park visitor. She pointed to the sundial and asked if he knew of its origin. He said he didn't - so she shared the following tale.
Her relatives lived on the south side of Centennial Park, on Darley Road, for generations. Many years ago one member of the household was a young girl who was unfortunately diagnosed with a terminal illness. The doctors had told the girls' parents that there was nothing they could do for her, and they should take her home to let her spend her last days at home. This they duly did.
While the girl was at home, the Park's horticultural staff (who knew the family) donated branches from the Park's palm trees to lay on the road in front of their house. This muffled the sound of steel shoes worn by passing horses; and the steel wheels of carts pulled by horses, making the girl much more comfortable during her last days.
The girl died in due course, and the grateful family donated the sundial in appreciation.
The sundial is situated within the Column Garden