STANLEY PARK
Welcome to Stanley Park, formerly known as the 'Waterfalls Paddock'.
The park provides an area for passive recreation and an opportunity to enjoy the bushland landscape. The diverse geomorphology of the park provides different climatic zones allowing a wide variety of native flora to exist in a relatively small area.
Over 60 species of trees and shrubs have been identified and wildflowers abound in the Spring.
Turitable Creek runs through the park and has formed an attractive waterfall which can be viewed from the base of the falls where geological information regarding its formation can be seen.
The native grassland area contains kangaroo grass (Themeda australis) and wallaby grasses (Danthonia species) and is a remnant of the grasslands that covered the plains of Western Victoria at the time of white settlement.
History
In the late 1860's Mount Macedon became a popular area for wealthy Melbourne businessmen to build grand houses to escape the summer heat of the city.
A thriving community grew to support the needs of the summer residents and they enjoyed many a picnic in the 'Waterfalls Paddock'.
The area was formerly part of John Carre Riddell's extensive landholdings.
In 1919 the Upper Macedon Progress Association recognised the desirability of acquiring the area for public recreation and within a few weeks the Association had raised the sum of £300 which included a £50 donation from Sir Arthur Stanley, Governor of Victoria (1914 - 1920), after whom the park was named.
On 19 July 1919, Peace celebrations were held in the park to mark the end of World War 1.
Children from the Upper Macedon School marched to the park, led by the school band, and the park was declared a place for public recreation and named Stanley Park.
A committee of local residents manages the park on behalf of Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
A second information at the viewing area down by the base of the falls (provided by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council) displays the following text:
BBQ
Mount Macedon
