First draft for Letchworth - 1903

My apologies for the inadequacy of this scan, though the original is not radically better. This is from C. B. Purdom's The Letchworth Achievement (1963) between pages 24-25. Purdom says 'Sketch plans (for Letchworth, the first 'Garden City') were made by two other groups of architects (before Parker and Unwin's plan), one by W. R. Lethaby and Halsey Ricardo, which unfortunately has been lost, though their ideas of the town centre and the residential areas survive in a lay-out, which is reproduced here.' (p. 16). The plan contains just over 60 internal reserves. It would be difficult to say how many Letchworth as finally built contained, probably around ten.

Lookout Reserve, Ferntree Gully, Vic

A quick look at the Google Map here reveals that in some strange universe this internal reserve - a very early example for Australia - still exists. Then I suggest you switch to the satellite version: the story unfolds in these two images. The site is clearly visitable, however, which is something I intend at some point to try...

The above is a detail from 1913; below is from the Melbourne Age 1 August 1975 p. 19.

Duggan Reserve, Coburg Vic.

Check here for the state of this reserve today. Saxil Tuxen lodged the design for this small estate on 11 January 1920.

East Keilor Sustainability Street Community Garden, Keilor, Vic

Read about it here and here. A google map is here. 

 A mosaic soon to be set down by the cubby house.

 North exit way.

 Looking south from northern end.

Nearby reserves are discussed here, here and here. 

Anders Park ('Anders Triangle'), West Footscray, Vic

A remarkable recent success story in the renewal of an internal reserve space, Anders Park (known locally as Anders Triangle)* is a small space of indeterminable age that owes its existence to the industry of the builder Anders Hansen, a historical figure (see biographical signpost below including inadvertant  portraits of the investigators) who happens unfortunately to share a name with a prominent Danish tennis player, or something like that (i.e. he's not easy to track down on the internet). 

Our informant at this site, Nyree, tells us that the space was neglected and threatened with redevelopment by council until local residents campaigned for its protection and conservation. The space is frequently used by locals despite council regulations prohibiting the construction of any structures within it. There is a low-key attempt at some informal agriculture in the planting boxes; there is seating; there is also a limited opportunity for vehicle access for some homeowners. The space is prized and valued by locals and forms the focus of a closeknit community. 

*Nyree tells us that the council will not allow the designation 'Triangle' as it is not actually literally a triangle, though it really does look like one...

Victoria Cross Reserve South, Macleod, Vic

In fact, this reserve is not signposted but the name seems logical. This space is essentially a playground space with, as our informant Nici points out, some random fruit trees. There is also a pathway running right through the space.