Splash A symphony of water dances before you. This is Wilson Park Water Feature. It’s more than just a pretty pond. It’s a living piece of history.
Wilson Park Water Feature in Lawson boasts a unique attraction a concrete relief map of Australia. This amazing map wasn’t just plopped down. It’s a testament to one man’s dedication. Frank Higgison a local resident painstakingly carved the map from a natural rock outcrop in 1932.
Imagine the meticulous work. He toiled to create a scale model with each inch representing 6.5 miles. He carefully marked capital cities state boundaries and major mountain ranges. His colours mirrored those in school atlases of the time. Green for sea level grey for 500 feet chrome for 1000 feet and so on. The level of detail is astounding.
This isn’t just any map. It’s the only one of its kind in Australia. A truly remarkable feat. Sadly Higgison’s life was tragically cut short during the Sandakan Death March. His legacy however remains visible in this captivating water feature.
The park itself has a rich history. Originally known as Snake Gully it was leased for recreation in 1915. It officially became a public reserve in 1932. The park is named after Percy Wilson a Blue Mountains Shire Council member and publisher of a tourist guide. A spring-fed creek once supplied water for steam trains. Today that creek still flows through the park.
Wilson Park Water Feature is more than a map. It’s a place for picnics play and reflection. It’s a tribute to a man’s artistry and a community’s enduring spirit. A place where history and nature intertwine. Take a moment. Soak it all in. Let the water’s gentle murmur tell you the story of Wilson Park.