Park Perspectives: A vision of Laurel Bank Park

Continuing UniSQ’s artistic spotlight on the gardens and landscapes of Toowoomba, the University is proud to pay tribute to the iconic Laurel Bank Park. 

With 4.5 hectare’s of beautifully manicured parklands, close to Toowoomba’s city centre, Laurel Bank Park has become a must see for all who visit the Garden City. The park is beautiful year-round, with its spring displays and cherry blossom avenues being particularly breathtaking. It shines the brightest during the Carnival of Flowers held each September. The Scented Gardens, a unique feature within the park, were inspired by ideas from the Downs Association of the Blind and showcase fragrant blooms, herbs, and shrubs in raised beds. The park was established in 1932 when Mr. Samuel George Stephens, the Managing Director of the Darling Downs Building Society, generously donated the land to the people of Toowoomba, with the City Council as the official custodian. Before the donation, Mr. Stephens enhanced the land with shrubs and flowers, earning him the nickname 'the man of flowers'.

Now into its 92 year, this art exhibition has been curated to celebrate Laurel Bank Park. Uniting a diverse group of skilled artists chosen for their varied mediums and shared inspiration drawn from the Gardens, this exhibition showcases each artist's individual aesthetic while also highlighting their collective conceptual basis. The collaborative display seeks to encapsulate the essence of the Gardens and present it to viewers in a visually engaging and intellectually stimulating way. By presenting a range of ideas, perspectives, and artistic techniques, the exhibition provides a thorough exploration of the Laurel Bank Park encouraging audiences to fully experience its beauty and importance.