Gordon Dedman Park, Thompson Road, 10, NORTH FREMANTLE WA 6159
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleDEDMAN PARKAddressBetween Stirling Highway & Thompson RoadGeo tag[1] Heritage Place No22461Construction Commenced1956Statement Of SignificanceDedman Park is of social significance to the community of North Fremantle as an area of open space and for the activities that are held there. It has historic significance as the site of Chinese Market Gardens from 1898-1947.ConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryThe portion of Stirling Highway to the north of Queen Victoria Street was originally part of Perth Road. The area developed with mixed residential, commercial and industrial uses from the 1860s following the construction of the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the upgrading of Perth Road by convicts. The portion of Stirling Highway to the south of Queen Victoria Street was formerly called Bruce Street and was widened and renamed following the completion of Stirling Bridge in 1974. In 2005, the highway continues to have a mix of uses. The area between Harvest Road and 16 Thompson Road, and from Stirling Highway on the west through to Thompson Road was the site of Chinese Gardens from 1898, with Lee Man listed as the market gardener at that time. The Chinese Gardens were there until circa 1947. Dedman Park was established c1948 on the site of a former Chinese market garden. The land was vested in the City of Fremantle in 1956 (Reserve 24352) and extended in 1985 (Reserve 39041). The Bowling Club was established in the 1960s and the site was extended in the 1980s to accommodate the community centre. The park is named for Gordon F. Dedman, who was a Councillor for North Fremantle 1936-1948 and Mayor of Fremantle 1948-1950. This place has been identified in 'Fremantle's Landscape: A Study for the Municipal Inventory' as being of cultural heritage significance'. It was also included in the "North Fremantle Heritage Study", prepared by Craig Burton, for the City of Fremantle, June 1994.Physical DescriptionDedman Park is a green belt that runs from Thompson Road through to Stirling Highway. It is predominantly a grassed and treed park area. The bowling club is adjacent. The facilities include a play area with climbing and swinging equipment for children. There is a limestone and concrete ramp leading from Thompson Road to the park.AssociationF Dedman - Councillor and Mayor of FremantlePlace UseOriginal Use – OTHER: OtherIntegrity/AuthenticityHigh degree of integrity High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).Place TypeLandscapeHistoric ThemeDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY - Land allocation & subdivision
Local Government Statutory Heritage Listings
Local Government Statutory Listing CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Statutory Listing TypeHeritage ListLocal Government Statutory Listing StatusYesLocal Government Statutory Listing Date8/03/2007
Gordon Dedman Park, Thompson Road, 10, NORTH FREMANTLE WA 6159. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 04/08/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/35633
