Willinda Park, Greensborough
Encyclopedia
Willinda Park, Greensborough
is located at the end of Nell Street, Greensborough and is maintained by the City of Banyule and the Willinda Park Committee of Management.
Willinda Park has a polyurethane athletic track and is the home of Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre
, Diamond Valley Athletic Club and Ivanhoe Harriers
What is now Willinda Park was once market gardens owned by William and Beatrice Linda Holmes. Hence how the name Willinda was derived.
In 1963 and following William’s death the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
compulsorily acquired the majority of the Holmes property; a little over 9 acres (36,421.7 m²) for drainage and sewerage purposes for the sum of 6927 pounds. As was common practice in these times the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
made such land available to local councils as reserves, often for recreation purposes.
In April 1967, Linda Holmes voluntarily transferred a further small triangular section of land approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) x 80 feet (24.4 m) x 89 feet (27.1 m) in size to the Shire of Diamond Valley
for $650 to assist in accessing the larger portion of land. This smaller section of land is still easily identifiable today as it forms part of the entrance to the park giving the property on the left (21 Talbot Street) with the red brick wall an angular appearance.
When the Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre
formed in 1967 work began in earnest to find a suitable home. While the view was held that any existing reserve in the shire would be suitable, A K Lines Reserve in Watsonia
sat on the top of the list.
Prior to the centres first competition on 30 September 1967, Willinda Park which until that point in time had not been allocated to any sporting club was offered as a home by the Shire of Diamond Valley
with Linda Holmes blessing.
Initially the Park was little more than a paddock; with only a 300 metre athletic track being able to be accommodated. However over the ensuing decades vast improvements have been made to the track surface and the adjoining facilities.
Apart from two seasons when track improvement work was being undertaken; 1973/74 when competition was held at A K Lines Reserve, Watsonia and 1999/2000 when competition was held at MeadowGlen International Athletic Stadium at Epping, athletic competition has been held at Willinda Park.
Today Willinda Park is a dedicated state of the art athletic facility with an international standard surface and lighting enabling twilight competitions to be held.
Greensborough
Greensborough can refer to:* Greensborough, Victoria, Australian suburb* Greensborough, Ontario, neighbourhood in Canada...
is located at the end of Nell Street, Greensborough and is maintained by the City of Banyule and the Willinda Park Committee of Management.
Willinda Park has a polyurethane athletic track and is the home of Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre
Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre
Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre is one of the largest little athletic centres in Victoria, Australia and is based at Willinda Park, Greensborough...
, Diamond Valley Athletic Club and Ivanhoe Harriers
What is now Willinda Park was once market gardens owned by William and Beatrice Linda Holmes. Hence how the name Willinda was derived.
In 1963 and following William’s death the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works was a public utility board in Melbourne, Australia set up to provide water supply, sewerage and sewage treatment functions for the city...
compulsorily acquired the majority of the Holmes property; a little over 9 acres (36,421.7 m²) for drainage and sewerage purposes for the sum of 6927 pounds. As was common practice in these times the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works was a public utility board in Melbourne, Australia set up to provide water supply, sewerage and sewage treatment functions for the city...
made such land available to local councils as reserves, often for recreation purposes.
In April 1967, Linda Holmes voluntarily transferred a further small triangular section of land approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) x 80 feet (24.4 m) x 89 feet (27.1 m) in size to the Shire of Diamond Valley
Shire of Diamond Valley
The Shire of Diamond Valley was a Local Government Area located about northeast of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1964 until 1994.-History:...
for $650 to assist in accessing the larger portion of land. This smaller section of land is still easily identifiable today as it forms part of the entrance to the park giving the property on the left (21 Talbot Street) with the red brick wall an angular appearance.
When the Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre
Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre
Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre is one of the largest little athletic centres in Victoria, Australia and is based at Willinda Park, Greensborough...
formed in 1967 work began in earnest to find a suitable home. While the view was held that any existing reserve in the shire would be suitable, A K Lines Reserve in Watsonia
Watsonia
Watsonia can refer to:* Watsonia , a genus of flowering plants in the iris family.* Watsonia , a botanical journal .* Watsonia, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia....
sat on the top of the list.
Prior to the centres first competition on 30 September 1967, Willinda Park which until that point in time had not been allocated to any sporting club was offered as a home by the Shire of Diamond Valley
Shire of Diamond Valley
The Shire of Diamond Valley was a Local Government Area located about northeast of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1964 until 1994.-History:...
with Linda Holmes blessing.
Initially the Park was little more than a paddock; with only a 300 metre athletic track being able to be accommodated. However over the ensuing decades vast improvements have been made to the track surface and the adjoining facilities.
Apart from two seasons when track improvement work was being undertaken; 1973/74 when competition was held at A K Lines Reserve, Watsonia and 1999/2000 when competition was held at MeadowGlen International Athletic Stadium at Epping, athletic competition has been held at Willinda Park.
Today Willinda Park is a dedicated state of the art athletic facility with an international standard surface and lighting enabling twilight competitions to be held.