...now for some history

18th Century

The area we now call Hyde Park becomes a place where soldiers can be assembled quickly in case of a convict rebellion. It is probably the site of a bloody battle between Aborigines and Europeans for control of the land around Sydney.

1810

Hyde Park gazetted as a ‘common’ by Governor Macquarie and named after Hyde Park in London.

19th Century

Hyde Park becomes the location of Sydney's first sports centre and racecourse. Prize fights and cricket matches are held. Gradually the park becomes a place for more passive recreation and it becomes more like an English garden.

Trams in Elizabeth St early 1900's

1920s

Hyde Park is virtually destroyed after being dug up to make Sydney’s underground railway line. As the underground tunnels for the railway were formed by extensive excavations from ground level, much of the vegetation is destroyed. According to the Sydney Morning Herald of 21 May 1929, the southern end of the park, where the ANZAC Memorial now stands was a mountain of excavated soil and the southwest corner had been a railway construction site for more than twelve years.



Norman' design



1927

A competition for a “comprehensive layout and beautification scheme” for the park is won by architect and landscape architect, Norman Weekes. Hyde Park as we know it largely reflects this plan.

1989

After 60 years of ad-hoc changes, a comprehensive Plan of Management is prepared for Hyde Park which guides the restoration of the park toward the original 1927 principles.

2006

City of Sydney announces a new draft Plan of Management and Masterplan for Hyde Park, true to the original plan but designed to preserve the park throughout the 21st Century.