Heritage garden site

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Thurston Gardens. Picture: SOPHIE RALULU

THURSTON Gardens are the botanical gardens of Fiji.

There’s a lot of history associated with the place.

It used to be known as the Suva Botanical Gardens and was renamed in 1976, in recognition of its founder Sir John Bates Thurston, a knowledgeable amateur botanist who had served as colonial secretary and governor.

A report published by The Fiji Times on March 1, 2015, stated that the Botanical Gardens was initially located next to Waimanu Rd, one of the main thoroughfares in a fast-growing urban centre of Suva.

On the recommendations of British botanist, John Horne, who came to Fiji in 1880 on the invitation of the then Colonial Secretary, Botanical Gardens was relocated to the present site where the original fortified town of Suva once thrived.

In 1913 the Gardens were re-organised and drains were laid underground with the avenues of 101 Royal Palms and 39 tree ferns planted.

The drinking fountain was constructed in 1914 followed by the bandstand and clock tower in 1918, both funded by the Marks family.

The Fiji Museum was built in the grounds in 1955.

It wasn’t until 1976 that Suva Botanical Gardens became Thurston Gardens and was then administered by Suva City Council.

Thurston Gardens is an important Fiji heritage site, together with the adjacent listed built heritage properties of the Grand Pacific Hotel, Government Buildings and State House as well as Albert Park within what is increasingly recognised as an extremely historic precinct.

Thurston Gardens is so much more than a delight to the senses, a place of family enjoyment, education and recreation, a site of preservation of rare species and a major tourist attraction.

It plays an important role in reconnecting people, particularly the city and suburban dwellers, with nature.

Thurston Gardens, with more than 100 years of history and the associated Fiji Museum, create a venue for looking back at the pre-history of the city and of Fiji.

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