Paronella Park - Mena Creek - QLD - Australia
Posted by: 
CADS11
S 17° 39.180 E 145° 57.380
55K E 389295 N 8047898
Paronella Park, Innisfail Japoon Rd, Mena Creek, QLD, Australia
Waymark Code: WMVDJJ
Location: Queensland, Australia
Date Posted: 04/05/2017
Views: 6
Paronella Park is significant for demonstrating, through its ruins and layout, a distinctive garden type in danger of being lost: that of a Paradise pleasure ground, constructed for commercial purposes (Criterion B.2). The Park is important for aesthetic characteristics which consist of a combination of lush tropical vegetation, tall trees with high canopy cover, a water course and waterfall, interspersed with romantic style architectural ruins. The arrangement and features of the garden create sensations of mystery and surprise (Criterion F.1). The Park is important for its creative innovation; Resort Park and Gardens in a Spanish romantic style which is distinctly different from other Australian garden styles. The gardens contain the original hydroelectric plant which was the first of its kind to be established in Queensland (Criterion F.1).
Official Values Not Available
Description
Paronella Park covers 5ha of land in the Mena Valley. It was constructed by Jose Paronella in the 1930s as commercial pleasure ground within a tropical rainforest environment which embraced a creek and waterfall. The park contained special gardens, activity areas such as tennis courts, a pool, pavillion and hall for entertainment functions and films. Park features were connected by a network of paths, bridges and steps and architectural elements were constructed of stone in a romantic Spanish style. A significant feature was a hydro electric plant which was the first of its kind to be established in Queensland and was used to electrify the town of Mena Creek. Its extant remains are now a feature. The park was used extensively for recreation purposes during World War Two but a number of events including a flood and fire contributed to its destruction and decline as a commercial pleasure park. In recent years it has been redeveloped by restoring the gardens and retaining the ornate building ruins as features. It now presents as an evocative, attractive and unusual garden.
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