User:Bluepelican/draft Waverton Park

Waverton Park Consists of two distinct areas of parkland in the local government area of North Sydney.

History
Waverton Park was named after after the suburb of Waverton which was named after a village on the Waver River in England. The park consists of an upper level bounded by Woolcott and Larkin Streets and contains the bowling club abd Merrett Playground, the lower level has the sportsfields and is accessed by John Street. The area was popular with artists of the post WW11 Northwood Group which included Lloyd Rees and Roland Wakelin.

Underground Fire
The waste tip was set fire to in November 1948. The council, despite many attempts, was unable to extinguish it due to partly dumped coke and clinker from the North Shore Gas Company Oyster Cove Works. In 1949, in response to complaints of noxious fumes and danger to the bowling green the Council's only course of action was to bulldoze it. The ashes, clinker and partially spent coke were removed and the groooound built up to the correct level again.

Merrett Playground
The Merrett playground was named in honour of Alderman L.H. Merrett, "who associated himself so initmately with the good works of the municipality". This playground was officially opened in 1957.