Wentworth Park History
Wentworth Park commenced life as a creek and swamp variously known, from the 1830's, as Blackwattle Cove Swamp, Brook etc. Between the 1830's and 1860 various noxious industries were established along the shore, including, in particular, abattoirs and boiling down works. The pollution from these works so befouled the swamp that even after the removal of these establishments from the area, the local council lobbied to have the area in-filled because of the stench that continued to arise from the water and mud.
Infilling of the creek and head of the swamp commenced in 1876 and continued until 1880. Silt dredged from the harbour was used to carry out the process and numerous sea walls and dykes were constructed as part of the program. When the area was filled Trustees were appointed to manage the new park and a competition was announced to design the new facility. After numerous complaints regarding the management of the competition the construction commenced and by 1882 opinion had turned favourably to the new ovals, greens, paths, lakes and other facilities offered in the Park, now named Wentworth after the politician of the same name.
Throughout the 1880's and 1890's the park came to serve as a focus for community activities including concerts, celebrations, moving pictures and in particular sport. The commencement of hostilities for World War 1 led to a downturn in patronage of the Park's amenities although community functions, such as stretcher drills and polling were carried out here. The main effect of World War 1 was the introduction of a large number of timber sheds used to store wool for the war effort. These sheds lingered on at the park for a number of years after the war.
The early years of the twentieth century saw the beginning of the removal of the nineteenth century landscape features. The lakes were removed in 1910 and the construction of the wool sheds led to the removal of the northern sports ground. During this period the railway also contributed to the trend, the rail was run through the Park on a viaduct thereby cutting off the northern end of the Park.
After the war the Trustees began to experience serious financial difficulties, income was limited and expenses were considerable. Various avenues were explored to remedy the situation including speedway proposals, tin hare coursing, fun park proposals and the lease and sale of various sections of the Park. Naive handling of these arrangements, as well as the onset of the Depression, led to the eventual failure of most of these avenues and one legal case. The speedway however did get off the ground and continued through to the 1930's. In 1932 greyhounds made their first appearance at the Park and from then onwards the facilities supporting this activity assumed greater importance.
The commencement of World War II caused the alienation of the oval and most of the open space. It was used by the American Army as a camp. They remained for the duration of the war. The rest of the park was again taken over by Wool Stores. The only section remaining in direct control of the Trust was the playground associated with a kindergarten established in 1916.
After the war the Trust acted to remove the Wool Stores and re-landscape the area. This was not successfully completed until the 1950's. Meanwhile the Park facilities continued to decline with rooms and amenities created in the in-filled aqueduct arches thus compromising the Architectural integrity of the structure.
The Trust in an effort to provide funding entered into a lease agreement with the NSW National Coursing Association in 1939. The NCA has continued to conduct greyhound racing at Wentworth Park ever since with the result that the sport is inextricably linked to Wentworth Park. "Wenty Dogs" has in fact entered the vernacular for Sydney residents.
By the 1970's large crowds attended race meetings. The NCA undertook construction of a large grandstand to accommodate what they envisaged would be the continued expansion of patronage. The decision was catalyst for significant change and the start of a new direction for Wentworth Park. The ramifications continue today.
In the mid 1980's the Government moved the NSW Greyhound Breeders Owners & Trainers Association (who at that time were racing at nearby Harold Park) into Wentworth Park to share the Complex and running costs. The lease previously held by the NCA was at this time changed to a licence deed between the Trust and Racing Associations
In 1990 trusteeship of the outer areas of the park, both north and south of the racing complex, passed to the Council of the City of Sydney (as Trustees of Crown Land). In 1991 the Department of Sport and Recreation leased the unused upper floors of the grandstand to accommodate Sports House. Office and meeting facilities are provided for 36 sporting organisations who utilise the Complex day and night six days a week.
Currently, as well as greyhound racing, the Complex is utilised for soccer, rugby league, rugby union, public exams, functions and community events. Local schools receive use of the facilities at no charge and the Trust encourages interaction with the community.