The wonderful city Oasis of Sydney, Hyde Park is the oldest public parkland in Australia.
Many office workers today enjoy the sanctuary during lunch breaks and a nicer route to take when getting across town.
But Hyde Park was the scene of many uses in its expansive history since colonisation and the venue of many 'firsts' for the city of Sydney and Australia itself.
Hyde Park as we know it today, named after the original Hyde Park in London, was created on 3rd May 1878, but the area was given this name as early as 1810.
Before this the grounds were used constantly for many sporting events and recreation purposes and had a string of names such as 'The Common', 'The Cricket Ground', 'The Exercising Ground' and 'The Racecourse'.
Many different inhabitants of Sydney frequently used the grounds including the Military who practised drills and trained on it, sporting groups such as cricketers, boxers and footballers, quoits players (oh yes), and many stray dogs, cattle and sheep often wandered through as well.
In fact on 17th June 1865, the first known Rugby match to ever be played in Australia was held in Hyde Park between the members of the newly formed Sydney Football Club.
It was also the venue for Australia's first official Horse Race Meeting on October 15, 17 and 19, 1810 which was organised by the officers of the 73rd Regiment and most of the horses were owned by the officers as well.
Many features and monuments adorn Hyde Park but the centrepiece is the Archibald fountain donated in 1932 in recognition of Australia's contribution to World War I.
The Anzac War Memorial sits at the Darlinghurst end of the park behind the 'Pool of Remembrance' opened on 24th November 1934.
A large Obelisk decorated with Egyptian features lies roadside of Elizabeth St and Bathurst St unveiled in 1857. But this monument is actually a sewer vent in disguise and carried the nickname "Thornton's Scent Bottle" for many years after the Lord Mayor who unveiled the monument.
Today it is home to many possums, homeless, and annoying promotional people. It is a busy thoroughfare and still provides an idyllic leafy haven to escape the rush of the city.
Take a blanket, take your lunch and take your shoes off and enjoy.
J G S
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