The Park was laid out in the 1880s and originally had commanding views over the city and harbour. The view now is of modern office blocks, except where mature trees have hidden the buildings. The Park contains a number of interesting specimen trees dating from the 1880s to the first World War. A caretakers residence was provided which still stands on the eastern side of the park. To the north of the park axis is the bronze statue of Queen Victoria 1897; to the south is a bandstand James Slator 1901. Between them is a large cast iron fountain imported from Great Britain in 1881. nThe statue of Queen Victoria was one of several similar sculptures installed throughout the British Empire following the monarch Diamond Jubilee in 1897. This sculpture was cast in London and unveiled with considerable ceremony here as part of the Jubilee celebrations. .nThere are a marble Boer War memorial, and an over life-size marble statue of Sir George Grey 1904. nNear the flagpole and Boer War Memorial on the north side of the park are two large field guns - once part of the defense system set up during the Russian Invasion Scare of the 1880s. Near the Princes Street exit in front of the University of Auckland clock tower is located a large floral clock, constructed in 1953 with funds donated by Robert Laidlaw, founder of the Farmers department store chain, this was intended to commemorate the 1953 visit of Queen Elizabeth the Second.
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