Graceville Memorial Park is a heritage-listed park at 173 Oxley Road in Brisbane’s south-west, with a granite war memorial at the end of an avenue of honour, a playground, sports ovals and a timber cricket grandstand from the 1930s. It suits a short visit for the history, a picnic on the grass or a run around on the playground.
It is also known as the Sherwood War Memorial, and it has been a local gathering place for more than a century.
The Graceville war memorial and avenue of honour
The war memorial stands at the end of the driveway into the park, behind the pavilion, with three flagpoles to its right. It is a grey granite obelisk on a base painted white, topped with a globe showing a gold map of Australia and the word “Anzac”. A low sandstone fence surrounds it.
It was unveiled on 26 November 1920 by Lieutenant Little of Corinda, a blind and maimed returned soldier. That date is from the Queensland Government’s Anzac Square memorial register; some other sources give 28 November. The inscription reads “Fallen Heroes, Sherwood Shire”, and the Second World War, Korea and Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam are listed on it too.
The drive from Oxley Road to the memorial is lined with bauhinias, cabbage tree palms and Chinese elms. Memorial trees were planted before the unveiling, and 29 bunya pines and 11 cotton trees from that planting are still standing.
Playground and things to do
The playground is the main stop for kids. The park also has a half basketball court, a bikeway and seating. There is a public toilet off Appel Street (male, female and accessible, open daylight hours), and drinking bubblers with taps are dotted around the park. Council’s open data lists no barbecues here, so bring a picnic rather than sausages.
A restored steamroller sits in a roofed enclosure in the park.
The grandstand and sports clubs
The cricket grandstand opened in September 1936. By 1924 the park already had three cricket ovals, and Graceville Croquet Club has played here since it formed in March 1919.
Cricket, hockey and soccer clubs have all used the ovals over the years.
A short history of Graceville Memorial Park
The land was gazetted as a recreation reserve in May 1904 and was called Graceville Memorial Park by 1926. The memorial was paid for by public subscription, and its Great War inscription honours the fallen of Sherwood Shire.
Over the years the park has been home to many sports. Queensland Cricket leased ovals here from 1928, the Brisbane Hockey Association has used the ovals since 1941 and Graceville United Soccer Club played here from 1955. Tennis courts leased by the Banksia Tennis Club from 1938 to 1989 were later replaced by the car park and the half basketball court.
The park was entered on the Queensland Heritage Register on 5 September 2006, which recognises both the memorial and the sporting grounds around it.
Why visit the park
It is a calm place to stand at a memorial, then wander under the avenue trees. A war memorial, an old cricket grandstand, croquet lawns and a playground in one park makes an easy stop alongside other river and park visits in the south-west.
Planning your visit
- How long: 30 to 60 minutes to see the memorial, walk the avenue and let the kids play.
- Cost: free.
- Best time: mornings and late afternoons, when the light is soft on the grandstand and the avenue.
- Facilities: playground, public toilet, drinking bubblers and taps, seating, half basketball court, shared pathway. No barbecues are listed.
- What to bring: a hat, water and a picnic rug.
Getting there and parking
The park is at 173 Oxley Road, Graceville, about 15 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD (about 9 km by road, without traffic). There is a car park in the park, which replaced the old tennis courts.
Graceville railway station, on Appel Street, is a few hundred metres from the park. Plan a train or bus trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.
The council’s heritage listing is on the Brisbane heritage register. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Bulimba Memorial Park – another Brisbane park with a heritage avenue of honour and a playground.
- Sherwood Arboretum – walks, playgrounds and river views in the next suburb.
- Indooroopilly – river bridges, parks and shops.
- Jindalee – a river park, pool and playground.
Browse more history and landmarks and playgrounds.
You might also like
- Walter Taylor Bridge (Indooroopilly)
- UQ St Lucia (Brisbane)
- Toowong Memorial Park (Brisbane)
Quick answers
Where is Graceville Memorial Park?
At 173 Oxley Road, Graceville, in Brisbane’s south-west.
Is there a playground at Graceville Memorial Park?
Yes. There is a playground, along with a half basketball court, seating and bubblers.
When was the Graceville war memorial unveiled?
On 26 November 1920 by Lieutenant Little of Corinda, according to the Queensland Government’s Anzac Square register. Some other sources give 28 November.
Is Graceville Memorial Park heritage listed?
Yes. It was entered on the Queensland Heritage Register on 5 September 2006.
Are there toilets?
Yes. There is a public toilet off Appel Street, with male, female and accessible cubicles, open in daylight hours. There are also drinking bubblers with taps.
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