Ardrie Park

The Wurundjeri people used this land and its surrounds prior to European settlement.

In 1917 the Malvern City Council purchased 7.25 acres of land at the rear of properties facing Repton Road. Malvern’s first parks and gardens curator, Thomas Pockett, prepared plans for the park including a gardener’s cottage and a motor garage. The cottage was demolished in 1997 but the garage remains.

In 1918 the park was laid out with a serpentine avenue of 12 year old elm trees that were removed from Paxton Street. Shrubbery borders were planted and a cricket pitch was proposed. In 1923 a cyclone fence was erected on both sides of the walkway from Waverley Road to Ardrie Road to safeguard against stray dogs. A large bed was also formed and planted with spring flowering trees - “which should provide a pleasing feature at a future date”.

The tennis courts were erected some years after the park was established and thebrick pavilion and toilet block was erected in the 1970’s. The large timber building adjacent to the courts was relocated into the park from the Presbyterian Church tennis courts on Waverley Road.

In 1924 Mr. McCleery presented the Malvern City Council with two pairs of gates. One pair was erected at the end of Wilmot Street and the other at the Repton Road entrance. Only the Repton Road gates and fence remain. The Wilmot Street gates may have been relocated to the Ardrie Road entrance.

For further information about the history of Adrie Park, contact the City of Stonnington's Local History Officers on 03 8290 1333 or visit the Local History section of this website.

Ardrie Park is located on McGregor Street, Malvern East.
Melway reference: Map 68 H2

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