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{{orphan|date=July 2024}}
{{Short description|Australian nature park and its history}}
{{Short description|Australian nature park in Ku-ring-gai Council}}
{{Draft topics|oceania|politics-and-government}}
{{AfC topic|geo}}
{{AfC submission|||ts=20240216060707|u=Trish Lynch|ns=118}}
{{AfC submission|t||ts=20240211064501|u=Trish Lynch|ns=118|demo=}}<!-- Important, do not remove this line before article has been created. -->


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'''Rofe Park Turramurra'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Rofe Park Turramurra |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rofe+Park+Turramurra/@-33.7446508,151.1181753,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x6b12a8396552ce6b:0x1601392bc61761d4!2s744F%2B46,+Turramurra+NSW+2074!3b1!8m2!3d-33.7446875!4d151.1230625!3m5!1s0x6b12a7d9ae45cb87:0xfd06b93cb3252b88!8m2!3d-33.7446554!4d151.1230462!16s%2Fg%2F11rtvhwn4t?entry=ttu |website=Google Maps |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> is an area of natural native [[bushland]] of approximately 50 acres (20.23 hectares) gifted to Ku-ring-gai by the Rofe family in 1927. Located on the Upper North Shore of [[Sydney]], New South Wales, Australia, the park is part of an unbroken three-kilometre-long stretch of bushland ([[Sheldon Forest]], Rofe Park and Comenarra Creek Reserve) that connects the [[Pacific Highway (Australia)|Pacific Highway]] with [[Lane Cove National Park]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lane Cove National Park |url=https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/lane-cove-national-park |website=NSW National Parks |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> in [[South Turramurra]]. It is owned and maintained by [[Ku-ring-gai Council]].
==Rofe Park Turramurra==


⚫
There are two Rofe Parks: [[Rofe Park]] Hornsby Heights is located in the [[Hornsby Shire]] Council Local Government Area.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hornsby Shire Council |url=https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au |website=Hornsby Shire Council |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> Both parks were donated to the public by Thomas Ernest Rofe and his family.
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Rofe Park [[Turramurra]] <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rofe+Park+Turramurra/@-33.7446508,151.1181753,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x6b12a8396552ce6b:0x1601392bc61761d4!2s744F%2B46,+Turramurra+NSW+2074!3b1!8m2!3d-33.7446875!4d151.1230625!3m5!1s0x6b12a7d9ae45cb87:0xfd06b93cb3252b88!8m2!3d-33.7446554!4d151.1230462!16s%2Fg%2F11rtvhwn4t?entry=ttu | title=Google Maps }}</ref> is an area of natural native bushland of approximately 50 acres (20.23 hectares) gifted to the people of Ku-ring-gai by the Rofe family in 1927. Located on the northern shore of [[Sydney]], New South Wales, Australia. The park is part of an unbroken three-kilometre-long stretch of bushland (Sheldon Forest, Rofe Park and Comenarra Creek Reserve) that connects the Pacific Highway with Lane Cove National Park <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/lane-cove-national-park | title=Lane Cove National Park }}</ref> in South Turramurra. It is owned and maintained by [[Ku-ring-gai Council]].


==History==
⚫
There are two Rofe Parks, [[Rofe Park]] Hornsby Heights is located in the Hornsby Shire Council LGA <ref>https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/</ref> . Both parks were donated to the public by Thomas Ernest Rofe and his family.
⚫
===Aboriginal heritage===

It is possible this Rofe Park was where the indigenous clan of the Darramurragal lived. Their language may have been of the [[Dharug language|Darug]] coastal dialect or similar.<ref name="Val">{{cite book |last1=Attenbrow |first1=Val |title=Sydney's Aboriginal Past |date=2010 |publisher=University of New South Wales |isbn=978-1-74223-116-7 |pages=30–34 |edition=2nd}}</ref>
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===Aboriginal Heritage===

It is possible this area was where the indigenous clan of the Darramurragal lived and that their language was Darug coastal dialect or similar.
<ref>https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/4652241Attenbrow,</ref>
Val Attenbrow,(2010) Sydney’s Aboriginal Past. Investigating the archaeological and historical records 2nd ed, UNSW Press, Pages 30-34


===Post 1857===
===Post 1857===


The area of 50 acres was advertised by the Crown as Lot 2 on the 4th February 1857 and was selected by William Gannon. A land grant was issued to him on the 5th September 1877. Following his death, his widow, Helena Gannon sold the land to Minnie Edith Rofe (Minnie Edith Hilder, 1870 – 1949).
The area of 50 acres was advertised by the Crown as Lot 2 on 4 February 1857 and was selected by William Gannon. A land grant was issued to him on 5 September 1877. Following his death, his widow Helena Gannon sold the land to Minnie Edith Rofe (Minnie Edith Hilder, 1870–1949).<ref name="Percy Rofe">{{cite journal |last1=Ku-ring-gai Historical Society |title=Rofe Park-Turramurra |journal=The Historian Official |volume=5-8 |issue=1976–1979 |pages=8–9}}</ref>
Source; The Historian Official / Journal of the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society <ref>https://khs.org.au/</ref> / Vol 5-8, Page 8, 1976 – 1979


According to the NSW Land Registry, Certificate of Title Volume 313 Folio 155, the land comprising 50 acres, was purchased by Minnie Edith Rofe on 20 July 1904. Minnie subsequently declared that she held it in trust for her husband, Thomas Ernest Rofe (1869 - 1945) <ref>{{cite book | chapter-url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/rofe-thomas-ernest-8254 | title=Australian Dictionary of Biography | chapter=Thomas Ernest Rofe (1869–1945) | publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University }}</ref>. The two of them joined in a transfer of the land to the Council of the Shire of Ku-ring-gai on the 13th April 1927 ( NSW Land Registry Services <ref>https://www.nswlrs.com.au/</ref>, Transfer No B502449).
According to the NSW Land Registry, 50 acres of the land was purchased by Minnie Edith Rofe on 20 July 1904.<ref name="Gannon">{{cite web |last1=Gannon |first1=Helena |title=Memorandum of Transfer |url=https://www.nswlrs.com.au/ |website=NSW Land Registry Services |location=County Cumberland/Parish Gordon |pages=Land Grant/Vol 313/Folio 155 |quote=Transfer to M.E. Rofe}}</ref> Minnie subsequently declared that she held it in trust for her husband, Thomas Ernest Rofe (1869-1945).<ref>{{cite book | chapter-url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/rofe-thomas-ernest-8254 | title=Australian Dictionary of Biography | chapter=Thomas Ernest Rofe (1869–1945) | publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University }}</ref> The two of them joined in a transfer of the land to the Council of the Shire of Ku-ring-gai on 13 April 1927.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rofe |first1=M.E. |title=Memorandum of Transfer |url=https://www.nswlrs.com.au/ |website=NSW Land Registry Services |location=County Cumberland/Parish Gordon |pages=Transfer No. B502449 |quote=Transfer to The Council of the Shire of Ku-ring-gai}}</ref>


⚫
Thomas and Minnie Rofe were living in [[Wahroonga]], Sydney in 1927 when they gave the 50 acres of land to the Council of the Shire of Ku-ring-gai.<ref name="Percy Rofe" />
===Gift to the Public 1927===


⚫
In the [[Sydney Morning Herald]] article dated 6 April 1927,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16365813?searchTerm=Mr%20T.E.%20Rofe | title=Gift to Public | newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald | date=6 April 1927 }}</ref> Councillor Thistlethwayte, president of Ku-ring-gai Shire said:
⚫
Thomas and Minnie Rofe were living in [[Wahroonga]], Sydney in 1927 when they gave the 50 acres of land to the Council of the Shire of Ku-ring-gai.
⚫
{{Blockquote|"This generous act on Mr. Rofe’s part, is being consummated to-night in the transfer of the property to the council, and the execution of a deed of trust by the council, so that the area will for all time be an open space in which the preservation of the natural fauna and flora will be a dominant feature. The land is well wooded and includes a natural cave unsurpassed in the metropolitan area."}}


The deed to the park is held by Ku-ring-gai Council and mentions the Rofe family's dedication.<ref name="Deed">{{cite web |last1=Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council |title=Certificate of Title/Deed-LD625516 Legal Document No. 212 |url=https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/ |location=Rofe Park, off Warrigal Rd, Turramurra |pages=Por 32/Vol 313/Fol 155}}</ref>
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In the [[Sydney Morning Herald]] <ref>https://www.smh.com.au/</ref> article dated the 6 April 1927 <ref>{{cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16365813?searchTerm=Mr%20T.E.%20Rofe | title=Gift to Public | newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald | date=6 April 1927 }}</ref>, Councillor Thistlethwayte, president of Ku-ring-gai Shire said;
⚫
“This generous act on Mr. Rofe’s part, is being consummated to-night in the transfer of the property to the council, and the execution of a deed of trust by the council, so that the area will for all time be an open space in which the preservation of the natural fauna and flora will be a dominant feature. The land is well wooded and includes a natural cave unsurpassed in the metropolitan area.”


⚫
Rofe Park opened on 24 May 1927, Mr and Mrs Rofe were present. Thomas said that his decision to dedicate the area as a park was as a result of reading a report of the Society for the Preservation of Wildlife, and of the impression he received while travelling through the USA where parks had been donated to local communities.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/223237792?searchTerm=Mr%20T.E.%20Rofe | title=People's Parks | newspaper=Sun | date=6 April 1927 }}</ref>
According to the Deed held by Ku-ring-gai Council, (Deed-LD625516 Rofe Park - Off Warrigal Road Turramurra - Portion 32 - Volume 313 - Folio 155 - Includes Deed with Thomas Ernest Rofe).
"Council should hold the said land upon the trusts hereinafter declared" and "upon trust for the public as a Public Park and reserve for the preservation of natural fauna and flora".


==Bushland characteristics==
⚫
Rofe Park opened on 24 May 1927, Mr and Mrs Rofe were present. Thomas said that his decision to dedicate the area as a park was as a result of reading a report of the Society for the Preservation of Wildlife and of the impression he received while travelling through the USA where parks had been donated to local communities. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/223237792?searchTerm=Mr%20T.E.%20Rofe | title=People's Parks | newspaper=Sun | date=6 April 1927 }}</ref>


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Rofe Park Turramurra has a combination land zoning of C2 (Environmental Conservation) and RE1 (Public Recreation). It is rated as Bushfire Prone Land. Its soils are classified Acid Sulphate category 5.<ref name="32/-/DP752031">{{cite web |title=Property Report 40 Mimosa Road Turramurra 2074 |url=https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/propertyreports/3e4eaf78-73ac-41e9-9fac-0c1a4f3a4b00.pdf |website=NSW Planning Portal |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref>
===The Rofe Park Bushland===


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Rofe Park is an existing Biodiversity Stewardship Site within Ku-ring-gai.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bushland Plans and Policies/Existing Biodiversity Stewardship Sites |url=https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Environment/Your-local-environment/Bushland/Bushland-plans-and-policies |website=Ku-ring-gai Council |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> The natural bush corridor that includes [[Sheldon Forest]], Rofe Park and Comenarra Creek Reserve form a State BioBanking site.<ref>{{cite web |title=Establishing Biobank sites on Public Land |url=https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/conservation/150405-linking-landscapes.pdf |website=NSW Government Environment and Heritage |access-date=30 April 2024 |pages=16}}</ref> The Avondale Creek flows through the park, and there are two waterfalls (from different branches of the creek) and natural caves.
⚫
Rofe Park Turramurra has a combination land zoning of C2 (Environmental Conservation) and RE1 (Public Recreation). It is rated as Bushfire Prone Land. Soils are classified Acid Sulphate category 5. <ref>https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/propertyreports/3e4eaf78-73ac-41e9-9fac-0c1a4f3a4b00.pdf</ref>


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===Geology===
⚫
It is an existing Biodiversity Stewardship Site within Ku-ring-gai <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Environment/Your-local-environment/Bushland/Bushland-plans-and-policies | title=Bushland plans and policies }}</ref>. The natural bush corridor that includes [[Sheldon Forest]], Rofe Park and Comenarra Creek Reserve form a State BioBanking site <ref>https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/bimsprapp/AgreementDetails.aspx?ID=132</ref>. The Avondale Creek flows through the park, there are two waterfalls (from different branches of the creek) and natural caves.


⚫
Rofe Park is a typical Hawkesbury Sandstone ([[Sydney sandstone]]) valley, 70 metres deep with steep rocky sides and spanning the upper third of the approximately 230 metre thick Hawkesbury Sandstone formation. The sandstone is overlain by the alternating thin sandstones, [[siltstone]]s and [[laminite]]s of the 2-10 metre thick [[Mittagong Formation]] which survives on the valley shoulders.<ref name="Field Guide">{{cite book |last1=Martyn |first1=John |title=Field Guide of the Lane Cove Valley |date=2010 |publisher=STEP Inc |isbn=978-0-9578390-2-1 |pages=1-81,100-105}}</ref>
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====Geology====


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===Vegetation===
⚫
Rofe Park is a typical Hawkesbury Sandstone ([[Sydney sandstone]]) valley, 70 metres deep with steep rocky sides and spanning the upper third of the approximately 230 m thick Hawkesbury Sandstone formation. The sandstone is overlain by the alternating thin sandstones, siltstones and laminites of the 2-10 m thick [[Mittagong Formation]] which survives on the valley shoulders, notably around Mimosa Oval.


⚫
Coachwood [[Ceratopetalum apetalum]] forest follows the rocky creek lines of the narrow valley bottoms and ravines. Other tree species include Grey Myrtle [[Backhousia myrtifolia]], notably upstream from Avondale Dam. The cool, shady character means ground flora is mainly ferns or absent, though there are many seasonal fungi. Fern species are diverse, especially around the two waterfalls.
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====Vegetation====
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The dominant tree species of the valley sides is Blackbutt (''[[Eucalyptus pilularis]]''), locally exceeding 30 metres in height. It is accompanied by Turpentines (''[[Syncarpia glomulifera]]'') and Sydney Red Gums (''[[Angophora costata]]''), as well as Sydney Peppermints (''[[Eucalyptus piperita]]'') and Black Sheoaks (''[[Allocasuarina littoralis]]'') on higher slopes. The park includes the critically endangered ecological community of [[Blue Gum High Forest]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Blue Gum High Forest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion |url=https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/sydney-blue-gum |website=Australian Government Department of Climate Change,Energy,the Environment and Water |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> that is mainly located in Sheldon Forest to the north-east of Rofe Park.<ref name="Field Guide" />


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===Animal species===
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Coachwood [[Ceratopetalum apetalum]] forest follows the rocky creek lines of the narrow valley bottoms and ravines. Accompanying tree species include Grey Myrtle [[Backhousia myrtifolia]], especially upstream from Avondale Dam. The cool, highly shady character means ground flora is limited to ferns or is absent altogether, though there is a notable wealth of seasonal fungi. Fern species are quite diverse, especially around the two waterfalls where at least five species grow.
⚫
The dominant tree species of the valley sides is Blackbutt [[Eucalyptus pilularis]], locally exceeding 30 metres in height. It is accompanied by scattered Turpentines [[Syncarpia glomulifera]] and Sydney Red Gums [[Angophora costata]], also Sydney Peppermints [[Eucalyptus piperita]] and Black Sheoaks [[Allocasuarina littoralis]] on higher slopes. Some of the large Blackbutts are more than 100 years old. The park includes Critically Endangered [[Blue Gum High Forest]] that is mainly located in Sheldon Forest to the north-east of Rofe Park.


Regular Australian native bird visitors include the [[yellow-tailed black cockatoo]], [[sulphur crested cockatoo]], [[galah]], [[Australian king parrot]], [[rainbow lorikeet]], [[crimson rosella]], [[red wattlebird]], [[laughing kookaburra]], [[australian magpie]], [[Pacific koel]], [[grey butcherbird]], [[pied currawong]], [[tawny frogmouth]], [[Southern boobook]], [[white-headed pigeon]], [[channel-billed cuckoo]] and [[superb fairywren]].<ref name="Field Guide" />
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====Animal species====


Regular Australian native bird visitors include, [[Yellow-tailed black cockatoo]], [[Sulphur crested cockatoo]], [[Galah]], [[Australian king parrot]], [[Rainbow lorikeet]], [[Crimson rosella]], [[Red wattlebird]], [[Laughing kookaburra]], [[Australian magpie]], [[Pacific koel]], [[Grey butcherbird]], [[Pied currawong]], [[Tawny frogmouth]], [[Southern boobook]], [[White-headed pigeon]], [[Channel-billed cuckoo]] and the [[Superb fairywren]].
Land based Australian native animals include the [[common brushtail possum]] and ringtail possums (''[[Pseudocheiridae]]''), [[sugar glider]], [[long-nosed bandicoot]], [[bush rat]], [[swamp wallaby]], [[short-beaked echidna]], eastern [[Australian water dragon]], [[red-bellied black snake]], [[Eastern brown snake]] and green tree snake (''[[Dendrelaphis punctulatus]]'').<ref name="Field Guide" />


⚫
Several threatened species are known to live in the area, such as the [[red-crowned toadlet]], [[gang-gang cockatoo]], [[powerful owl]], [[Eastern bent-wing bat]], Eastern freetail bat (''[[Micronomus]]''), [[yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat]] and [[grey-headed flying-fox]]. The powerful owl can roost in the dark, protective canopies of coachwoods and turpentines.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wildlife galleries |url=https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Environment/Your-local-environment/Wildlife/Wildlife-galleries |website=Ku-ring-gai Council |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="Field Guide" />
Land based Australian native animals include, [[Common brushtail possum]] and ringtail possums [[Pseudocheiridae]], [[Sugar glider]], [[Long-nosed bandicoot]], [[Bush rat]], [[Swamp wallaby]], [[Short-beaked echidna]], eastern [[Australian water dragon]], [[Red-bellied black snake]], [[Eastern brown snake]] and the Green tree snake [[Dendrelaphis punctulatus]].


⚫
===Walking tracks===
⚫
Several threatened species are known to live in the area, such as the [[Red-crowned toadlet]], [[Gang-gang cockatoo]], [[Powerful owl]], [[Eastern bent-wing bat]], Eastern freetail bat [[Micronomus]], [[Yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat]] and [[Grey-headed flying-fox]]. The Powerful Owl can roost in the dark, protective canopies of coachwoods and turpentines.


⚫
There are several walking tracks through Rofe Park<ref>{{cite web |title=Rofe Park and Sheldon Forest Track |url=https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/new-south-wales/rofe-park-and-sheldon-forest-track |website=AllTrails |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> and nearby Sheldon Forest. They vary in grades from easy around Mimosa Oval to more difficult heading up to Warragal Road and Sheldon Forest or across to Troon Place in Pymble.
References;
John Martyn - Field Guide to the Bushland of the Lane Cove Valley, Pages 1-82 and 100-105, STEP Inc Published 2010. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/5040139 | title=Field guide to the bushland of the Lane Cove Valley / John Martyn - Catalogue &#124; National Library of Australia }}</ref>
Ku-ring-gai Council <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Environment/Your-local-environment/Wildlife/Wildlife-galleries | title=Wildlife galleries }}</ref>


==Sport and recreation==
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====Walking Tracks====


Mimosa Oval, located to the south of the park, is a sports ground and an informal recreational space used by the community. It is a home ground for the amateur clubs Kissing Point Cricket Club<ref>{{cite web |title=Kissing Point Cricket Club |url=https://www.kissingpointcc.com.au/ |website=Kissing Point Cricket Club |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> in summer and West Pymble Football Club<ref>{{cite web |title=West Pymble Football Club |url=https://www.wpfc.com.au |website=West Pymble Football Club |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> in winter. The ground includes public toilets and a children's playground.
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There are several walking tracks through Rofe Park <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/new-south-wales/rofe-park-and-sheldon-forest-track | title=Rofe Park and Sheldon Forest Track }}</ref> and nearby Sheldon Forest. They vary in grades from easy around Mimosa Oval to more difficult heading up to Warragal Road and Sheldon Forest or across to Troon Place in Pymble.
⚫
South Turramurra Scout Hall is located nearby at the end of Kate St, home of the 2nd Turramurra Scouts.<ref>{{cite web |title=2nd Turramurra Scout Group |url=https://2nd-turramurra.group.scoutsnsw.com.au/ |website=2nd Turramurra Scout Group |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref>

===Sport and Recreation at Mimosa Oval===

At the Mimosa Road end of Rofe Park is Mimosa Oval <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Things-to-do/Parks-playgrounds-and-sportsfields/Mimosa-Rofe-Park | title=Mimosa / Rofe Park }}</ref>, a toilet block, dressing room and carpark. A small childrens playground with equipment, bubbler and tap.
Mimosa Oval is the home ground for amateur sports clubs Kissing Point Cricket Club <ref>https://www.kissingpointcc.com.au/</ref> and West Pymble Football Club <ref>https://www.wpfc.com.au/</ref>.
The juniors play on weekend mornings, seniors on the weekend afternoons. There is football training on winter evenings under lights. When used, the lights are turned off at 9pm.
Locals use the ground at other times for recreation. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
⚫
South Turramurra Scout hall is at the end of Kate St, the home of 2nd Turramurra Scouts <ref>https://2nd-turramurra.group.scoutsnsw.com.au/</ref>.

Mimosa Oval is a sportsground and an informal recreational space used by the community. In 2019 Ku-ring-gai Council proposed to replace the natural grass with synthetic turf. The proposal was refused <ref>https://eservices.kmc.nsw.gov.au/Infocouncil.Web/Open/2019/12/OMC_10122019_MIN_WEB.htm</ref> after a strong reaction against it <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/children-at-risk-sydney-s-turf-wars-over-sporting-grounds-20190926-p52v8o.html | title='Children at risk': Sydney's turf wars over sporting grounds | date=28 September 2019 }}</ref> .

===Heritage Listing Nomination===

In 2020 the group Friends of Mimosa, Rofe Park and Sheldon Forest nominated Rofe Park for Heritage listing with Ku-ring-gai Council. The nomination was unsuccessful. The response from the council Heritage Reference Committee held on 8th September 2020 is here. 2020 Minutes and Agendas/8 September Meeting/View Minutes/page 2/Item 3. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-meetings/Committees-and-Panels/Heritage-Reference-Committee/Heritage-Reference-Committee-past-meetings | title=Heritage Reference Committee past meetings }}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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{{coord|33|44|53|S|151|07|26|E|type:landmark_region:AU-NSW_dim:2000|display=title}}
{{Drafts moved from mainspace |date=March 2024}}

[[Category:Parks in Sydney]]
[[Category:1927 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1927]]
[[Category:Ku-ring-gai Council]]

Latest revision as of 23:26, 5 September 2024

Rofe Park Turramurra[1] is an area of natural native bushland of approximately 50 acres (20.23 hectares) gifted to Ku-ring-gai by the Rofe family in 1927. Located on the Upper North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, the park is part of an unbroken three-kilometre-long stretch of bushland (Sheldon Forest, Rofe Park and Comenarra Creek Reserve) that connects the Pacific Highway with Lane Cove National Park[2] in South Turramurra. It is owned and maintained by Ku-ring-gai Council.

There are two Rofe Parks: Rofe Park Hornsby Heights is located in the Hornsby Shire Council Local Government Area.[3] Both parks were donated to the public by Thomas Ernest Rofe and his family.

History

[edit]

Aboriginal heritage

[edit]

It is possible this Rofe Park was where the indigenous clan of the Darramurragal lived. Their language may have been of the Darug coastal dialect or similar.[4]

Post 1857

[edit]

The area of 50 acres was advertised by the Crown as Lot 2 on 4 February 1857 and was selected by William Gannon. A land grant was issued to him on 5 September 1877. Following his death, his widow Helena Gannon sold the land to Minnie Edith Rofe (Minnie Edith Hilder, 1870–1949).[5]

According to the NSW Land Registry, 50 acres of the land was purchased by Minnie Edith Rofe on 20 July 1904.[6] Minnie subsequently declared that she held it in trust for her husband, Thomas Ernest Rofe (1869-1945).[7] The two of them joined in a transfer of the land to the Council of the Shire of Ku-ring-gai on 13 April 1927.[8]

Thomas and Minnie Rofe were living in Wahroonga, Sydney in 1927 when they gave the 50 acres of land to the Council of the Shire of Ku-ring-gai.[5]

In the Sydney Morning Herald article dated 6 April 1927,[9] Councillor Thistlethwayte, president of Ku-ring-gai Shire said:

"This generous act on Mr. Rofe’s part, is being consummated to-night in the transfer of the property to the council, and the execution of a deed of trust by the council, so that the area will for all time be an open space in which the preservation of the natural fauna and flora will be a dominant feature. The land is well wooded and includes a natural cave unsurpassed in the metropolitan area."

The deed to the park is held by Ku-ring-gai Council and mentions the Rofe family's dedication.[10]

Rofe Park opened on 24 May 1927, Mr and Mrs Rofe were present. Thomas said that his decision to dedicate the area as a park was as a result of reading a report of the Society for the Preservation of Wildlife, and of the impression he received while travelling through the USA where parks had been donated to local communities.[11]

Bushland characteristics

[edit]

Rofe Park Turramurra has a combination land zoning of C2 (Environmental Conservation) and RE1 (Public Recreation). It is rated as Bushfire Prone Land. Its soils are classified Acid Sulphate category 5.[12]

Rofe Park is an existing Biodiversity Stewardship Site within Ku-ring-gai.[13] The natural bush corridor that includes Sheldon Forest, Rofe Park and Comenarra Creek Reserve form a State BioBanking site.[14] The Avondale Creek flows through the park, and there are two waterfalls (from different branches of the creek) and natural caves.

Geology

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Rofe Park is a typical Hawkesbury Sandstone (Sydney sandstone) valley, 70 metres deep with steep rocky sides and spanning the upper third of the approximately 230 metre thick Hawkesbury Sandstone formation. The sandstone is overlain by the alternating thin sandstones, siltstones and laminites of the 2-10 metre thick Mittagong Formation which survives on the valley shoulders.[15]

Vegetation

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Coachwood Ceratopetalum apetalum forest follows the rocky creek lines of the narrow valley bottoms and ravines. Other tree species include Grey Myrtle Backhousia myrtifolia, notably upstream from Avondale Dam. The cool, shady character means ground flora is mainly ferns or absent, though there are many seasonal fungi. Fern species are diverse, especially around the two waterfalls. The dominant tree species of the valley sides is Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis), locally exceeding 30 metres in height. It is accompanied by Turpentines (Syncarpia glomulifera) and Sydney Red Gums (Angophora costata), as well as Sydney Peppermints (Eucalyptus piperita) and Black Sheoaks (Allocasuarina littoralis) on higher slopes. The park includes the critically endangered ecological community of Blue Gum High Forest[16] that is mainly located in Sheldon Forest to the north-east of Rofe Park.[15]

Animal species

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Regular Australian native bird visitors include the yellow-tailed black cockatoo, sulphur crested cockatoo, galah, Australian king parrot, rainbow lorikeet, crimson rosella, red wattlebird, laughing kookaburra, australian magpie, Pacific koel, grey butcherbird, pied currawong, tawny frogmouth, Southern boobook, white-headed pigeon, channel-billed cuckoo and superb fairywren.[15]

Land based Australian native animals include the common brushtail possum and ringtail possums (Pseudocheiridae), sugar glider, long-nosed bandicoot, bush rat, swamp wallaby, short-beaked echidna, eastern Australian water dragon, red-bellied black snake, Eastern brown snake and green tree snake (Dendrelaphis punctulatus).[15]

Several threatened species are known to live in the area, such as the red-crowned toadlet, gang-gang cockatoo, powerful owl, Eastern bent-wing bat, Eastern freetail bat (Micronomus), yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat and grey-headed flying-fox. The powerful owl can roost in the dark, protective canopies of coachwoods and turpentines.[17][15]

Walking tracks

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There are several walking tracks through Rofe Park[18] and nearby Sheldon Forest. They vary in grades from easy around Mimosa Oval to more difficult heading up to Warragal Road and Sheldon Forest or across to Troon Place in Pymble.

Sport and recreation

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Mimosa Oval, located to the south of the park, is a sports ground and an informal recreational space used by the community. It is a home ground for the amateur clubs Kissing Point Cricket Club[19] in summer and West Pymble Football Club[20] in winter. The ground includes public toilets and a children's playground. South Turramurra Scout Hall is located nearby at the end of Kate St, home of the 2nd Turramurra Scouts.[21]

References

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  1. ^ "Rofe Park Turramurra". Google Maps. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Lane Cove National Park". NSW National Parks. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Hornsby Shire Council". Hornsby Shire Council. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  4. ^ Attenbrow, Val (2010). Sydney's Aboriginal Past (2nd ed.). University of New South Wales. pp. 30–34. ISBN 978-1-74223-116-7.
  5. ^ a b Ku-ring-gai Historical Society. "Rofe Park-Turramurra". The Historian Official. 5–8 (1976–1979): 8–9.
  6. ^ Gannon, Helena. "Memorandum of Transfer". NSW Land Registry Services. County Cumberland/Parish Gordon. pp. Land Grant/Vol 313/Folio 155. Transfer to M.E. Rofe
  7. ^ "Thomas Ernest Rofe (1869–1945)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  8. ^ Rofe, M.E. "Memorandum of Transfer". NSW Land Registry Services. County Cumberland/Parish Gordon. pp. Transfer No. B502449. Transfer to The Council of the Shire of Ku-ring-gai
  9. ^ "Gift to Public". Sydney Morning Herald. 6 April 1927.
  10. ^ Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council. "Certificate of Title/Deed-LD625516 Legal Document No. 212". Rofe Park, off Warrigal Rd, Turramurra. pp. Por 32/Vol 313/Fol 155.
  11. ^ "People's Parks". Sun. 6 April 1927.
  12. ^ "Property Report 40 Mimosa Road Turramurra 2074" (PDF). NSW Planning Portal. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Bushland Plans and Policies/Existing Biodiversity Stewardship Sites". Ku-ring-gai Council. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Establishing Biobank sites on Public Land" (PDF). NSW Government Environment and Heritage. p. 16. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e Martyn, John (2010). Field Guide of the Lane Cove Valley. STEP Inc. pp. 1–81, 100–105. ISBN 978-0-9578390-2-1.
  16. ^ "Blue Gum High Forest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion". Australian Government Department of Climate Change,Energy,the Environment and Water. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Wildlife galleries". Ku-ring-gai Council. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  18. ^ "Rofe Park and Sheldon Forest Track". AllTrails. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Kissing Point Cricket Club". Kissing Point Cricket Club. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  20. ^ "West Pymble Football Club". West Pymble Football Club. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  21. ^ "2nd Turramurra Scout Group". 2nd Turramurra Scout Group. Retrieved 30 April 2024.

33°44′53″S 151°07′26″E / 33.74806°S 151.12389°E / -33.74806; 151.12389

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