Diggers Park

Garden City Subdivisions

Part of Henry F Halloran’s enduring legacy are his Garden City subdivisions. Many of the elements of Garden Cities have long since passed out of favour: the circular or radial street patterns and the internal reserves are just two examples. At the time of construction, they represented the cutting-edge of residential subdivision ideology and design. 

Those subdivisions that made it off the drawing board: Tanilba Bay, Mallabula, the Salamander Estate and Nelson Bay (Tomaree Estate) each demonstrate the dominant principles in town planning at the time.

Diggers Park

Diggers Park is an outstanding example of Henry Halloran’s vision to create reserves, parks and gardens for the community to meet and enjoy nature. He wanted his subdivisions to work with nature and be environmentally friendly.

This park encompasses Henry’s dream of planned open spaces for the community to use. The Garden City movement invented internal reserves. These small reserves were entirely enclosed by house blocks and allowed only pedestrian access. They enabled children to play safely away from traffic and within sight of their own homes.

In the early 20th century gardens were seen as highly valued because they delivered social and health benefits: gardens were seen as promoting moral growth.

Diggers Park has been developed into beautiful gardens by a dedicated small group of people who have worked tirelessly to maintain this reserve into the gardens that you are visiting today.