Royal
Botanic Gardens is a Botanical garden
near the centre of Melbourne, Victoria,
Australia, on the south bank of the Yarra
River. It constitutes 354,000 square metres
(87 acres) of landscaped gardens. There
is a 3.8 km running track parallel to
the perimeter fence of the gardens. Officially
termed "the Tan Track", it is
affectionately known as "The 'Tan"
and is often used by Australian rules
footballers, particularly during pre-season
time trials. The 'Tan', originally a horse
track for Melbourne's well-heeled, is
one of Melbourne's most frequented points
for exercise. Locals, visitors and famous
alike, now share the space as it's international
reputation has grown. Hitcham El Guerrouj,
Steve Ovett, Cathy Freeman, and Sonia
O'Sullivan have all rubbed shoulders with
mortals on the Tan. The quickest lap of
the Tan has been held by such notable
Australian athletes as: Robert De Castella
and Steve Monaghetti (10:41, 2003). The
current record is 10 minutes and 12 seconds,
run by Craig Mottram in 2004.
The
inaugral "Go the Tan" run was
held in early February 2006, and provides
the opporunity for participants to run,
jog or walk around the Tan and receive
an official time. The gardens are governed
under the Royal Botanic Gardens Act of
1991 by the Board of the Royal Botanic
Gardens, who are responsible to the Minister
for Environment. In 1846 Charles La Trobe
selected the site for the Royal Botanic
Gardens from marshland and swamp. In 1857
the first director was Ferdinand von Mueller,
who created the National Herbarium of
Victoria and brought in many plants. In
1873 William Guilfoyle became Director
and changed the style of the Gardens to
something more like the picturesque gardens
that were around at that time. He added
tropical and temperate plants. A major
project at the Botanic Gardens over the
past three years has been the building
of the 5,000 square metre Ian Potter Children's
Garden for children of all ages and abilities.
The Ian Potter Children's Garden is based
in South Yarra, off the main site. Living
collections at the Botanic Gardens include
Australian Rainforest Walk, California
Gardens, Cacti and Succulents, Camelias,
Cycad Collection, Eucalypts, Fern Gully,
Grey Garden, Herb Garden, Long Island,
New Caledonia Collection, New Zealand
Collection, Oaks, Perennial Border, Roses,
Southern Chinese Collection, Tropical
Display-Glasshouse, Viburnum Collection
and Water Conservation Garden. These plant
groups have been chosen for their value,
rarity, diversity and interest. Since
its earliest days, the Royal Botanic Gardens
is involved in plant research and identification.
This is done primarily through the Library,
the Herbarium and the release of publications
about specific plants as well as the journal
Mulleria, which is a scientific representation
of the work done in the Gardens in any
one year.
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