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Queens Square, also known as Queen's Square, is a town square in Fremantle, Western Australia. It is located at the intersection of High Street and Parry Street, both of which bisect the square. The square was originally a single space, but was divided into four sections due to the extensions of High and Parry Streets, completed in 1886. Today Queens Square still functions as a public open space for residents of Fremantle.
The square began as an open space[1] on John Septimus Roe's original town plan of Fremantle, drawn in 1883.[2] In 1866, the Fremantle City Council decided that the extension of High Street should proceed through Queens Square, rather than around it.[3] By 1886 Parry Street had also been extended through the square.[2] In February 1896 the council decided to erect fencing at Queens Square, in order to establish a tree nursery there.[4][5][6] Tenders were called for in March,[7][8] and whilst several were received, all were rejected on the grounds that the proposed fences were too tall.[9] After the fencing was installed, it was criticised for reusing old, aesthetically unappealing fences "instead of neat ornamental fences".[10] In March 1903 the council resolved to install a children's playground in one corner of the square,[11] and in May 1906, drinking fountains.[12] In January 1916 the council decided that the gates were to be left open to allow for public access.[13] Three months later, after incidents of vandalism and destruction of plants, notices were installed warning that "any person stealing, pulling, or destroying flowers will be prosecuted".[14][15]
By 1927, Queens Square was not well known, with many Fremantle residents only learning of it due to a musical concert being held there.[16] The removal of the fences at Queens Square, except for the children's playground, was proposed in August 1931, as replacing the "dilapidated" fences would be expensive.[17] However, it was not decided to remove the fences until October 1932, with a 15–20-centimetre-high (6–8 in) concrete wall replacing them.[18][19] The children's quarter was to have an additional fence.[18][19] The work was not carried out until February 1933.[20][21]
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Queens Square is still used as a public open space.[2] It is landscaped with grassed areas and trees, and features paths and seating areas.[2]
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