Description
A group of informally planted mature figs (c.1860-80) visually dominate this Victorian park and adjoining streetscapes. All of the Port Jackson Figs (Ficus rubiginosa f. glabrescens) are the glabrous leaf form (ie. no hairs) and have no rusty colouration on the underside of leaves. The figs are planted in an informal cluster and row planting along park boundaries adjoining Glebe Point Road, Pyrmont Bridge Road and St John’s Rectory. Their canopies extend over adjoining roads and footpaths with extensive root zones generally contained within the park’s boundaries. They measure approximately, height 18-20 metres, canopy spread 16-25 metres with trunk diameter 1.8-2.5 metres at one metre above the ground.
Most of these figs are in generally good health and condition with minimal pruning to canopies. There is little dead wood present in the crowns and minor fig psyllid insect damage to leaves.
The Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) specimen included within the park (c.1860-80), located in the eastern garden bed is in good condition. Its canopy extend over adjoining roads and footpaths with extensive root zones generally contained within the park’s boundaries. It measures approximately, height 18-20 metres, canopy spread 16-25 metres with trunk diameter 0.8-1.2 metres at one metre above the ground.
Other important component species associated with this period and later phases include an English Oak (Quercus robur) and Cheese Tree (Glochidion ferdinandi). The English Oak, although relatively small in stature (9 metres in height and 12 metre canopy spread) appears to have been a later planting post 1943. Although none of the other component species are considered of individual significance, they are nonetheless thematically consistent with the overall eclecticism of the period, supportive of the main fig collection and the park’s historic character.
Significance
All of the Port Jackson Figs (Ficus rubiginosa f. glabrescens) are significant as individuals with outstanding proportions and stature for this species and visually dominate this Victorian park and adjoining streetscapes. A separate Moreton Bay Fig specimen is included within the park composition. Together the figs create a dramatic sense of place and scale for this public open space and provide high visual, amenity and biodiversity value in this urban setting.
Historical notes
This site was originally part of the 1796 land grant of 400 acres to Reverend Richard Johnson and later became part of the Hereford House estate. Foley Rest Park adjoins the property of St Johns Bishopthorpe (St Johns Rectory Anglican Church). It was proclaimed as a park in 1930 on a remnant parcel of land of the former Hereford House Estate. It has some significant trees, including some 19th century figs, and remnant carriage loop to the former villa. There are a number of structures including a War Memorial c. 1920, Wireless House 1934, Baby Health Centre 1951, Public Toilets c 1955 and sandstone walls on the street frontages of the park. It is scheduled in the City of Sydney Local Environmental Plan LEP 2012.
In 1964, the park was re-named in recognition of the humanitarian and civic services of Dr H J Foley, a former alderman of the Council of the City of Sydney. It has undergone stage improvements over recent years with upgrades to the walls and frontage to Glebe Point Road and major playground improvements to the west of the park which involved demolition of the buildings in this part of the park. Several trees in poor condition were removed at this time, including a large Morton Bay Fig and a Port Jackson Fig which were identified in the 2005 Register. Investigation of the 1943 aerial photos of the site reveal that the majority of the trees in the eastern half of the park were very well established and probably date from the late 1800’s. The trees in the western half of the park were largely not present, and although similar in scale to many of the earlier plantings today, are likely to date from overlays planted in the 1950’s onwards.
The seed source of these Port Jackson Figs (Ficus rubiginosa f. glabrescens) would have likely been from early botanical collections in SE Queensland or northern NSW. These trees also continue the lush, native evergreen/ rainforest theme typical of the period planting.
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