Hogan Park

Although there was no signage when we visited, Hogan Park was named in honour of Frank and Rose Hogan. Frank and Rose wre married in St. Joseph’s Church, Emerald in 1919. Born in Limerick, Ireland, Frank had emigrated to England just before the end of the 1890s before coming to Australia a couple of years before the start of World War 1. Frank and Rose ran the Emerald Coffee Palace for around 35 years. They came to Emerald from Nangana so the children would be closer to a school.

In the early years of the 20th century the park was on public land and used as a pound. Frank realised the park was the last piece of natural bushland left in the centre of Emerald and could see the damage caused by the animals in the Pound. He lobbied the Lands Department to have a fence in the park moved back, confining the Pound to the rear of the park. The front of the park remained accessible to the community. And more importantly, provided a refuge for native plants, animals and birds.The need for the pound lessened over time and it was eventually closed. For a while, the park was known as the Emerald Park and Recreation Reserve. Frank wrote to the secretary of Lands in 1937, he wanted a local body of caretakers appointed to manage the park. A year later, the Lands Department approved the name Hogan’s Park, on the proviso that there were no objections from council.

Sources:
Coulson, H. The Story of the Dandenongs 1838-1958.
Teasdale, K. (2012, November). Portrait of Frank and Rose Hogan. Signpost Community Magazine, 103, p. 14.

Hogan Park is home to the Gus Ryberg Hall and the 1st Emerald Scout Group.