By Cathy Jones 2023
Laker Reserve is located at the junction of Beresford Road and Elva Street. It abuts the Main Suburban Railway line at the north and with the Powells Creek stormwater channel located between the reserve and the Elva Street roadway. It is currently the site of the Strathfield Community Garden.
Laker Reserve is built on the land granted to Thomas Rowley in 1803. Powells Creek flows from Parramatta River through the land towards Albert Road. This section of Powells Creek was straightened, realigned and canaled as a stormwater channel.
In 1921, James Alson Gregg, a grazier of Liverpool, became the registered proprietor of one acre and three roods of part of Rowley’s grant. In the same year, Gregg transferred ownership to the NSW Railway Commissioners.
In 1930, Strathfield Council acquired the land for open space. At the Council meeting of 14 January 1930, Council resolved to name the site ‘Laker Reserve’. The reserve was named after Henry Laker, a long-term employee of Strathfield Council. Laker practiced as an architect prior to his employment at Strathfield Council, where he was appointed as head engineer. Laker resigned in 1937 due to ill-health and died in 1938.
In 1951, a request was made by the Strathfield District Boys Scout Association to erect a Scout Hall on the site. However, a plan was not submitted until 1956. The hall was constructed by the Boys Scout Association and was a weatherboard hall with an iron roof.
The Scout Hall was leased for many years to local scout’s associations. However, the hall was vacated in the late 1980s and has since been demolished.
A plaque acknowledging the International Day of Mourning of workers killed or injured at work is located near Laker Reserve and was unveiled on 28 April 2010.
The Strathfield Community Garden was built around 2012 by Strathfield Council. The garden provides opportunities for community members to be actively involved in growing vegetables, fruits and herbs as well as socialising with other people and learning more about gardening.
Reference
Department of Valuer-General, Valuation Lists, Municipality of Strathfield
NSW Land Titles Register
Strathfield Council, Building Application Register 1956
Strathfield Council (1956, June 12), Minutes of Council Meeting
Strathfield Council (1988, November 29), Minutes of Council Meeting
Strathfield Heritage 