Prince Alfred Square

Prince Alfred Square is a 1.5-hectare (3.7-acre) park on the northern side of the Parramatta River in the central business district of Parramatta. It is one of the oldest public parks in New South Wales and is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. St Patrick's Cathedral is located directly opposite the square to the west. The park site was the site of Parramatta's second gaol (1804 - 1841) and first female factory (1804-1821). Prisoners were transferred to the new Parramatta Gaol upon opening in 1842 and the gaol was subsequently demolished. It was authorised as a 'village green' for the people of Parramatta by Governor Bourke on 27 November 1837, and was referred to as the old Gaol Green or Hanging Green by local townspeople. A perimeter fence was subsequently erected and games such as Cricket were played. The oldest plantings in the park include Moreton Bay figs, a camphor laurel and a Bunya pine that date from the mid Victorian period (c.1869-70s). It was named 'Alfred Square' in 1868 to commemorate the visit of Prince Alfred, Australia's first Royal visitor, during which he visited Parramatta.