Newsflash

York Park Officially Opened

As seen in the Canberra Times

Autumn reprieve for mighty oaks of York Park

10 May, 2011 08:08 AM

Almost 80 mature English oaks were in danger of being cut down seven years ago, but now a $2 million redevelopment of York Park has ensured their future.

The park's official reopening on a chilly Canberra autumn day yesterday came a day before the 84th anniversary of the plantation's inaugural oak tree planting on 10 May, 1927.

The first sapling was planted by Prince Albert, Duke of York who later became King George VI. The Commonwealth Government expanded the park with a work program during the Great Depression with a further 78 English oak trees planted on a 12m grid. Another three oaks were planted during the redevelopment bringing the number to 82.

Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean said he remembered walking though the park from the Hotel Kurrajong as a child. It was a place where Australians could come to reflect on their history.

''[It's] an early reminder of ties to the British empire [and] of the fledgling new capital of Australia at the time,'' Mr Crean said.

''It's important to remind ourselves of the past it's terribly important, people should be proud of where their nation is, but they should reflect on from where it has come.''

In September 2007 the woody weeds and self-sown trees obscuring the plantation from view were removed, revealing the original formal grid which sets out 13 trees in six rows.

Its Commonwealth Heritage listing ensured the National Capital Authority commissioned a heritage management plan to guide York Park's conservation. A masterplan was designed by architect Romaldo Giurgola. NCA chief executive Gary Rake said the trees would have died without intervention.

''It was used as an informal car park. Occasionally people would back into the trees. They were also compacting the soil which damages the roots and the trees were starting to show sign of decline,'' Mr Rake said.

The multi-million dollar upgrade included new public access paths, stone walls and seating.

''Oaks can live for hundreds of years. I'd be surprised if we didn't get 50 or more years out of these trees.''

Mr Rake paid tribute to the late Robert Boden who campaigned to save the park from redevelopment.

Forde School Canberra

The suburb of Forde is made up of 29% of green open spaces with a central pond, sports ovals, BBQ areas, playgrounds and a series of walkways and bike paths, plus a village centre. Wee Jasper Stone is the towns feature rock. Utilised in many of the forementioned areas.

Forde's school is currently undergoing construction and large format bookleaf walls are presently being erected using Wee Jasper Stone.

 

These images show the construction in progress.

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Korean War Memorial Sydney

Wee Jasper Stone Features as the product selected for the bookleaf wall of the Korean War memorial.

The former Premier of NSW, the Hon. Morris Iemma, MP, agreed to provide State Government land for the construction of a memorial to commemorate the Korean War.

The memorial site is located at the northern end of Moore Park, a highly significant public parkland area less than 5km from the centre of Sydney. The Park is heritage listed as a place of national significance to the Australian people due in part to its historic setting as a place for significant national events.

The memorial commemorates the Australian and Korean veterans of the Korean War (1950 – 1953).

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York Park Oak Plantation Canberra

Our stone is being utilised for new works currently underway in Canberra, located on State Circle, circumnavigating Australia's Parliament House. This location highlights the sought after quality of Wee Jasper Blue Stone.

The York Park North Tree (Oak) Plantation, located on the corner of Kings Avenue and State Circle, is being upgraded by the National Capital Authority.

Low-height perimeter walls, directional paths and associated landscape works are being built to protect the heritage listed plantation. The new works will improve public access and amenity. The surrounding walls are being constructed of book leaf stone sourced from Wee Jasper Stone.

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Three Sisters Blue Mountains

Three Sisters Tourist Park

Built using Wee Jasper Stone, located in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. 3000 Feet above sea level the Three Sisters is Australia's premier tourist attraction. Wee Jasper Stone bookleaf and flagging are utilised for this high profile natural attraction situated in the Jamison valley.

The stone was required to match the earthy colours of the Blue Mountains. This is achievable due to the unique formation of the quarry which allows the stone to present an array of colours due to oxidisation of the stones edges.