Princes Park

Princes Park is located in Royal Parade, Parkville. It is close to the city centre and easily accessible by public transport.

The Park stretches nearly two kilometres north-south but is only 350 metres at its widest between Royal Parade and Garton Street.

The southern part is notable for its large spaces and open vistas, including views south to the city skyline and across Melbourne General Cemetery. The northern part of the park is more enclosed because of the topography, the stadium, and the terrace houses lining surrounding streets.

Full-screen picture of Princes Park

At a glance

Map of park
Toilet - Yes
Playground - Yes
Sports field - Yes
Barbecue - Yes
Melway Ref - 2B D1
Size - 39.250 ha
Dog off-leash area - Yes
Running/bike track - Yes 

Special features of Princes Park include:

• tennis courts;
• a large timber playground;
• barbecue and picnic facilities;
• cricket, soccer and football grounds;
• an ornamental pond where the resident ducks can usually be seen;
• a 3.2 kilometre running circuit around the perimeter which is extremely popular; 
• bowling greens, home to the Princes Park Bowling Club which dates back to 1886; and
• MC Labour Park, formerly known as Optus Oval and traditional home of the Carlton Football Club.

Horticulture

Princes Park is a long, narrow and generally flat parkland of grassed open spaces edged by avenues of elm and Moreton Bay fig trees. Many of the mature elms, river red gums, Moreton Bay figs, pines and other conifers were planted in the 19^th century.

Other major plantings include a mix of native and exotic trees, such as she-okes, eucalypts, planes and poplars. In the northern section by the bowling club, an ornamental pond surrounded by lawn and trees was formed in the 1920s.

History

Establishment of the Park

Princes Park was originally part of 2,560 acres reserved from sale by Superintendent La Trobe in 1845, which included land now occupied by Royal Park, Melbourne Cemetery and the University of Melbourne.

Early sports

Although a carriage drive was built around the Park late in the 19^th century, sport has always been the focus of recreation here. Until the early years of the 20^th century, cricket and football had to co-exist with grazing, which was important in raising revenue to maintain Melbourne’s parks and gardens.

The Bowling Club was established in 1886, and when the Carlton Cricket and Football Clubs merged a few years later they were allowed to occupy an area now known as the Carlton Recreation Ground.

The 20th century

A children’s playground was built next to the tennis courts in 1921 so that a supervisor could manage both at the same time. Barbecues nearby make this a favoured picnicking spot for local families. This playground was most recently upgraded in 1998 and is now the site of a popular large timber playground.

In 1973 Princes Park was reserved as an area for public recreation. Today the park is the site of one of Melbourne’s major football stadiums and other football and cricket fields used by local clubs and schools are located throughout the Park. The Royal Park to Clifton Hill railway line once severed this tranquil environment. After it was closed in 1981, the railway reserve was turned into a shared pedestrian and bicycle path connecting Merri Creek to the east and Royal Park to the west.

Council endorsed the Princes Park Ten Year Plan in 1998. It guides the long-term redevelopment of the Park's horticultural and recreational assets.

Monuments and sculptures

At the northern end of Princes Park is the sculpture ‘Within Three Worlds’, the figure of a female child and three boats located together.

This bronze statue was created in 1995 by Loretta Quinn, in memory of Angela Jane Esdaile (19 Feb 1969 - 28 Dec 1993).

Getting there by public transport

Starting point: Federation Square (Melbourne)
Walk along Flinders Street to Elizabeth Street and then take tram (19) from Elizabeth Street.