Kings Park and Botanic Garden holds a special place in the hearts and minds of its millions of visitors and is the stage for many important events, milestones and celebrations.

View artwork and photography slideshow

To highlight the social importance of this unique park, we invite all visitors and members of the community to contribute to the social history project 'Kings Park at Heart'.

Share your stories, personal anecdotes, artworks and photographs with us and help preserve the memories of Kings Park and Botanic Garden.

Since the initiative began in 2009, Kings Park has collected an array of stories full of fun, love, tragedy, dedication, humour and more. A selection of these have been showcased in outdoor exhibitions for the Kings Park Festival and featured in the Friends of Kings Park magazine, 'For People and Plants'.

Make a contribution

Contributions can be sent via the Customer Service Officer. Please provide your name, postal address, phone number and email and outline your story/theme in detail.

Visitor testimonials

'I have written several articles on Australia and I am passionate about this most beautiful continent. … we have gone to Western Australia once a year for the past eleven years. We always start in Perth and leave from Perth. Believe it or not, Kings Park is the reason we go to Perth on such a regular basis. A visit to Kings Park is an introduction to the abundance and beauty of Western Australian flora and on our last day it is the most wonderful botanical and cultural summary of what we have seen on our trip.' - Dr Franziska Kirchner, Germany, 14 September 2017

'During the early 1960s I did a detailed botanical study of the native and introduced flora of Kings Park. In those days nothing was labelled. I write to congratulate you on the fine labelling in the botanical gardens and the introduction of native species from other parts of the state. It is just wonderful and you and your staff are doing a very important job, not only for the present generation, but also to future generations... to see much of our unique native flora so close to Perth is a credit to you all.' - Jan Richards

'May I say that the Authority must be congratulated on the exceptional work that they have done. It was one of the more wonderful experiences that I have had this year. The landscaping, gardens, flora and fauna set the scene for one of the more fantastic experiences one can have in our fair city of Perth.' - Steve Catania

Memories and anecdotes

'Kings Park was my back garden between the ages of 8-11. Between Kings Park, QEII site, and Karrakatta Cemetry, we had bush and then the river almost all around us. We would get lost in the park for hours on end, walk home from the city through the park, collect specimens, ride our bikes and drink in nature's offerings. We climbed Mt Eliza and roamed through Hackett's paths getting scratched by the agave and prickly native bushes while revelling in the views over the river.' - Philip G

'Kings Park was always a special place growing up in Perth. Playing in the wading pools, the playgrounds and hopping from one tree stump to the next, I was often visiting with my nature-loving grandmother. In my 20s, I was studying urban birds and first walked the historic Serventy transect with Prof. Harry Recher. A flock of Rainbow Bee-eaters descended around us in a cacophony of sound to feed on the flowering Banksias. I felt such a great sense of peace, I couldn't wait to tell my grandmother about it. As I returned home, I discovered that she'd passed away at the exact moment we were recording the bee-eaters. Now approaching 40, I have worked in Kings Park almost half of my life. On the days I manage to sit and reflect, I can still enjoy that special sense of peace that only the bushland can provide. I think of her and know she would have been proud of the person I've become.' - Jodi

'Five years ago I came to Perth for six weeks of Radiotherapy; the last leg of breast cancer treatment. Staying at Crawford Lodge during radiotherapy treatment... every day for a few seconds of zapping. Every day I would ride my bike, walk or take my car up to Kings Park... wandering the gardens, buying books in the book shop. Loved going on guided tours with one of the friendly guides that made me forget what was happening in my life... Kings Park was my healing time. I still go to Kings Park when in Perth with my husband... he knows how it helped me.' - Janice

'I am the youngest of eight children with a span of 20 years between us. My cherished memory of Kings Park was just over 20 years ago at a family gathering my husband and I organised where for just ONE day in my lifetime all eight of us were together.' - Margaret from Cottesloe.

'Nowhere holds as many memories as Kings Park - exploring Ivey Watson [playground] by bicycle as a child, then daily walks, Kokoda climbs, BBQs and outdoor movies as an adult living in West Perth. My autumn wedding in the Roe Gardens cemented Kings Park as the most special place in the world for me.' - Taryn from Mt Pleasant.

'My husband suffered from Parkinson's Disease and was in a nursing home for his final 18 months. Our favourite Sunday outing was to hire a wheelchair taxi and go to Kings Park where we would have a picnic with family. To be in such a beautiful setting for a few hours allowed us some sense of normality.' - Betty from Murdoch.

'From the early 1960s we would take our young kids and collect cousin Sister Josephine and another Sister for a picnic at Kings Park. The two nuns (clad in white) excitedly joined our family game of cricket - white veils flying as they made runs. Always a favourite time.' - Moya from Carlisle

'Once in Kings Park, meditating in the bush, feeling calm and immersed in nature, I fantasised that a snake could even slide past and I would simply do a 'hi snake' and let it be. A snake did come by but I did not remain calm. 'Meditate' turned to 'levitate'.' - Chris from Palmyra.

Poems and songs

Our Kings Park Writer in Residence Nandi Chinna has been gathering inspiration from around the park in 2016. She has been moved by the park's visitors and beautiful natural environment and we're delighted to share examples of her poetry with you.

My Place - Danelle Jenkins

No matter where I've gone;
No matter where I've run;
My Place has waited.

Custodian of my city,
My Place calms the bustle, and quiets the concrete.

When I enter My Place I feel welcome and comfort.

When I run in My Place I feel solitude, and my soul is soothed.

When I run in My Place,
And feel my city beside me,
I fly.

My Place,
my Kings Park,
Has waited.

Place of Reflection - Gary Colombo De Piazzi

The concrete path with its hard rim
channels each step.
The long edge, leading away
with a serpentine flow.

The grevillea alongside beats
a barrage of green shiver slender foliage
in a dance choreographed by the breeze.

A subtle bow with each leaf
a curtsey of emerald.
The soft/smooth, rigid/spiked
and the broad elliptical build
jade on olive, fade to silver and fawn.

Stepping onto the river gravel crunch
sound becomes the new medium,
the cross between the constant city clash
and the call of wattle bird, wren and crow
as shades of green bend a barrier.

In the wind rustle
there is a hint of something sweet
latched to memories
of boiled lollies and candy sticks
from grandma's pocket.