SWANFELS & YANGAN PARKS
Residents ensure public lands are put to good use
The Bicentennial Park at Yangan was the site of the Yangan Railway Station until the mid 1960’s. With the closure of the railway the land was no longer required for this purpose and sat vacant.
The Swanfels Pioneers’ Memorial Park also has connections to the railway. From the head of Swanfels Valley it was more than a days journey for a horse or bullock team to the timber siding at the Yangan Railway Station. On March 15th 1886 an 11-acre area surveyed on the banks of Swan Creek was proclaimed as a camping reserve for the teamsters. It served as such for many years. However with the advent of motor transport the camping reserve was no longer needed.
It stood idle for a long time and then became used as an unofficial sports reserve. In March 1926, a public meeting was called at Swanfels to decide what to do with the land. As a result of that meeting and a request to the Minister for Lands, the area was in due course proclaimed as the Swanfels Recreation Reserve. The Tennis and Cricket Clubs flourished and the reserve became the weekend social centre of the district.
Once again changes in transport impacted on usage. With all weather bitumen roads and ready access to motor cars, Warwick became just a short drive away. Better facilities and more competition attracted players into the larger centre. Initially the cricket club folded and later tennis collapsed. Once more the reserve stood idle. However in the 1980’s both the disused public lands in Yangan and Swanfels were brought back into service thanks to the actions of local residents.
Yangan Bicentennial Park.
A public meeting was first called on January 31st 1984 to consider building a park on the site. This old Yangan Railway Station meeting set March 1988 as the time for the official opening of the park. In 1984 the Bicentennial Authority approved the project and agreed to provide $2,500 towards the total estimated cost of $10,000. The State Government and the former Glengallan Shire Council contributed $2,250 each, leaving the community to find $3,000. Voluntary labour and materials formed about half the community’s contribution. Some 800 hours of time and many trees were freely given.
Mrs Isabella Zackrisen, one of the oldest residents of the district, officially opened the Bicentennial Park on April 26th 1988. To mark the day there was a long procession including bullock teams, bands, new and old farming equipment, vintage vehicles, decorated bicycles and participants in period dress. A plaque commemorating the occasion was unveiled and an old time dance held. Of later times a shelter shed was erected and most recently the Warwick Shire Council has installed children’s play equipment and a basketball pad.
Swanfels Pioneers’ Memorial Park.
A public meeting was called in June 1983 to consider what might be done with the Swanfels recreation reserve. At that meeting the idea of establishing a little park where local people and visitors to the district could relax was put forward. The idea took hold. A committee was formed to put the idea into effect. All work on the park was done voluntarily money, materials, equipment and labour given freely.
Saturday 26th April 1986 saw the opening of the Swanfels Pioneers’ Memorial Park. A busy day was held with a procession starting on the road near the Mahonys. Activities which followed included the burning of stock brands on the brandpost, a crosscut sawing competition, dedication of the cross, and an open-air dance on the tennis courts that evening.
For some years a committee managed the park with voluntary labour and donations being used to maintain the facilities. reasons including those of public liability this situation could not be continued and the Shire Warwick Council assumed responsibility for the Park. Many very successful “Christmas Trees” have been held in the park. These have been attended both by current and past residents of the district as well as many others with connections here. Santa has seen fit to arrive at these functions by various means of transport. The park has served as a community meeting place and a rest stop for travellers.