Bonython Park is a 17-hectare park in the north-west Park Lands of the South Australian capital of Adelaide. The park was opened in 1962 and named in honour of prominent South Australian politician and journalist, Sir John Langdon Bonython. It is situated on the north-western side of the River Torrens, bordered by Port Road. It is on the opposite side of the river to a golf course, and adjacent to the old Adelaide Gaol and the Police Barracks.
Bonython Park forms part of what is known as Park 27, and since the dual naming initiative by Adelaide City Council in the early 2000s, Park 27 is also known as Tulya Wardli. There are sites straddling this park and Park 1/ Pirltawardli of some significance to the Kaurna people, since various "native locations" were established on the sites dating from 1837, when the first settlers arrived and the establishment of a Christian mission in the following year.
History
There is some evidence to suggest that there was a billabong on the site, used as a fishing spot for the Kaurna people prior to European settlement. Following the arrival of European settlers from 1837, right through to 1914, it was used as a watering place for cattle.
The site of Bonython Park was the first area occupied by Europeans, from January to March 1837. The migrants camped in tents and wooden huts in two camps, called Buffalo and Coromandel, after two of the ships of the First Fleet of South Australia.
In December 1840 a school opened, supported by Governor George Gawler, but the site was dismantled in 1845, on the orders of Governor George Grey, who thought it best to take the children away from their parents, and a new "Native School" run by the government, which taught only in English, was established near what is now Kintore Avenue. (The Native School closed in 1851, with the remaining children were taken to Poonindie Mission at Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula.
The park hosts or has hosted several major events including the Schützenfest (a German shooting festival), the former Skyshow fireworks display, and various music festivals including Soundwave, Stereosonic and the Big Day Out. It is also the location of various visiting circuses, including Cirque du Soleil.
The Bonython Park Adventure Playspace, a kiosk), a model boat pond, open kick/play fields, a junior playground and multi-barbecue stations are available for the public.
See also
- List of Adelaide parks and gardens
- Torrens Bridge railway station