Park to be named in honour of preschool pioneer

A new park in the inner city Sydney suburb Darlinghurst is set to “spark children’s imaginations” through stepping stones, distorting mirrors, a rain wheel and timber animals, and will be named in honour of Frances Newton.

 

Ms Newton was a pioneer in bringing accessible early learning to the Sydney community, through her role as principal of the Sydney Kindergarten Training College (1902-1905) and through her work to establish free kindergartens across Sydney.  

 

Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore will officially open Frances Newton Reserve on Saturday 16 March.

 

“We worked closely with the community to design this delightful new park which, in addition to being a playful space for local children, gives residents the chance to get their hands dirty by tending to a community gardening plot,” the Lord Mayor said.

 

Ms Moore said the city was pleased to be creating a permanent tribute to Ms Newton, and the contribution she made to Sydney.

 

The Frances Newton Preschool was designed and built by Sydney City Council in 1928 and served the community for 85 years.This park is built on the site of the former kindergarten and features some of the foundations as a tribute to the history of the area.

 

The 280 square metre park is the City’s 280th pocket park. Scattered throughout the Sydney local area, the City of Sydney’s pocket parks have added to nearly 2.1 million square metres of parks and open space.

 

The City of Sydney local government area has more than 370 parks, including 280 small parks and playgrounds.

 

Information about the launch is as follows:

 

Frances Newton Reserve launch

 

When: 11am to 1pm, Saturday 16 March

Where: 222 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst

What: The Lord Mayor will officially launch the park at 11.30am. There will be music, free coffee and gelato at the event.