Wellington Square, Perth
{{Short description|Park in East Perth, Western Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
Wellington Square is a public park located on Wellington Street in the suburb of East Perth in Perth, Western Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofperth.wa.gov.au/web/Visiting/Attractions/Parks-and-Gardens/|title=Parks and Gardens|publisher=City of Perth|accessdate=9 December 2009}}
History
The park was originally a swamp and was drained in the 1830s. It was originally used to exercise horses. The ground was known as the Recreation Ground or the "Rec".
In 1898 the ground was cleared to form a series of cricket fields, and named in honour of the Duke of Wellington, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time of the settlement of the Swan River Colony. Prior to the construction of the WACA Ground in the 1890s, the park served as the main cricket ground in Perth.
In 1901 the ground was used for four West Australian Football League matches.{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/grounds/biggest_wins/Wellington+Square/105|title=Wellington Square Games|publisher=AustralianFootball.com|accessdate=7 February 2018}} Between 1906 and 1909 West Australian Football League team East Perth were based at Wellington Square but played home games elsewhere. Perth Rugby Club (later Perth-Bayswater) used the square from the late 1920s as a training venue.{{cite web|url=http://www.perthrugby.com.au/history.htm|title=Club History|publisher=Perth-Bayswater Rugby Union Football Club|accessdate=9 December 2009}}
In 2020 the City of Perth began a $18.7 million upgrade of Wellington Square. The redevelopment included construction of a new playground, basketball courts, new paths and facilities and a place of reflection to commemorate the Stolen Generation.{{cite web|url=https://www.perth.wa.gov.au/news-and-updates/all-news/wellington-square-works-begin|title=Wellington Square works begin|publisher=City of Perth|accessdate=27 March 2021}} The redevelopment was opened to the public in March 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/massive-175-million-playground-opens-in-wellington-square-ng-b881832665z|title=Massive $17.5 million playground opens in Wellington Square|date=27 March 2021 |publisher=PerthNow|accessdate=27 March 2021}}
Current uses
The square is used as a meeting place, and occasionally for cricket and athletics by local schools and clubs. It is also used as a live music venue.{{cite web|url=http://www.liveguide.com.au/Venues/8924/Wellington_Square|publisher=liveguide.com.au|title=Wellington Square|accessdate=11 August 2020}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{West Australian Football League}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|-31.9545|115.8719|type:landmark_region:AU|display=title}}
Category:Parks in Perth, Western Australia
Category:West Australian Football League grounds
Category:Sports venues in Perth, Western Australia
Category:East Perth Football Club
Category:East Perth, Western Australia