Haig Park

Recalling the role of tree planting in the birth of the Capital

• Location
• Facilities
• History
• A historic early planting
• Designed as a shelter belt
• A dense forest near Civic centre
• Reference
  

Location

Braddon and Turner, accessible from Northbourne Avenue via Masson and Girrahween Streets.

• A map showing Inner North Canberra with the location of Haig Park marked.
• A map of Haig Park.

Facilities

Public toilets, a fitness track, time controlled parking areas and barbecues.

History

Haig Park is a plantation of densely planted predominantly exotic trees on the northern edge of the Civic Centre. It's strongly formal design consisting of trees planted in parallel rows renders it unique in Australian park design and this has led to classification by the National Trust. It is a very accessible forested park for a range of recreational pursuits.

A historic early planting

Haig Park commenced its life in 1921 as the "East-West Shelter Break", its prime function being to protect from wind and dust the first suburbs in the vicinity of the Civic Centre about to be developed. The National Capital site at this time was bare and windswept - hot winds, cold winds and dust were a significant problem as there was no established parkland. Haig Park would in time serve as a park as well for the nearby first residents of the new city.

The park's naming in 1928 links it to World War I, in which Australia was involved, with disastrous consequences for many families across the country. Earl Douglas Haig (1861-1928) commanded the British Empire Forces during that war.

The park was designated a public park in 1987 and it has been classified by the National Trust.

Designed as a shelter belt

The planting was designed by Charles Weston, Canberra's first Superintendent, Parks and Gardens, who almost certainly would have established its need as well. Weston himself had been in the National Capital since 1913 and so had first hand experience of the cold, hot and dusty winds of the site for the city and the role which trees could play.

Weston laid out the massive "shelter break" in fourteen rows using predominantly exotic evergreen and deciduous trees. The majority of the planting was in 1921 when he planted over 7000 trees. The park straddled Northbourne Avenue and quickly became a prominent feature on the northern edge of the National Capital.

The dominant tree was Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata), of which he planted nearly 2000, reflecting Weston's desire to achieve quick results. Another tree heavily planted was Roman cypress (Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'), perhaps reflecting Weston's intentions to pay tribute to the many Australians who had not returned from the war. In western society this latter tree has been traditionally recognised as a symbol of death and immortality.

Park management emphasises the historic nature of the park. While thinning has been found necessary and nearly all the Monterey pine has been completely replaced in the past 10 years, the original design has been maintained.

As the Civic Centre has grown other improvements have been found necessary to prevent car invasion and broaden recreational opportunities.

A dense forest near Civic centre

During the week Haig Park is popular for lunchtime relaxation, for running and other fitness activities, while on the weekend picnickers and bird-watchers are frequently seen. Those with interests and trees and forests and nature generally find much to explore in Haig Park.

Reference

Gray, J (1997) The Historical and Cultural Background of Selected Urban Parks in Canberra.