History of the Park

Stan Kuhl

Stan Kuhl outside his home, c2004

Stan Kuhl was the benefactor of Peacehaven Botanic Park. For many years he was a successful farmer in the Highfields area.  In 2004 he donated 4.7 hectares of land adjacent to his residence at 50 Kuhls Rd, Highfields to be entrusted to the community for use as a Botanic Parkland.  

This land had a magnificent stand of mature eucalypt trees as well as scenic vistas to the Bunya Mountains in the north west.  He signed an Agreement with the Crows Nest Council on 16^th December 2004 and a staged development plan was drawn up by the Council with the support of a landscape designer.  He also provided a very generous $100,000 to the Council for development of the first stage.  

Looking north with the dairy on the right,
before construction.

The same view in 2011 

2005 - Official Ceremonies

The handing over and turning of the first sod

Geoff Patch, Mayor of Crows Nest Shire,
about to plant the first new tree, 1 August 2005,
in front of the Kuhl family, friends and Highfields community members. 

Opening Day

Crows Nest Shire Mayor, Geoff Patch, 
at the opening, 2006

The plaque

The Concept Plans

In the early stages of development, Crows Nest Shire Council in conjunction with Stan Kuhl, and with the help of a local landscape architect, Richard Jones, developed an initial Master Plan for the Park.

The garden's design was born from Stan's desire to promote global peace and is reminiscent of some of the great gardens he visited during his travels around the world.

Stage 1

Construction work for the Park's infrastructure started very soon after. 

Major Works

Start of development, October 2005

2006 - 2007

Construction of the dam, started in 2006 
and finished in February 2007

2008

The toilet block built in August 2008 
with money raised by the community 
through a PCCN Ltd and Heritage bank grant. 

2009

The jetty on the lake completed December 2009.

2012

The rotunda was completed in early 2012 
with funds from a generous grant from the Highfields Heritage Bank 
applied for by the Highfields Garden Club.

In March 2012 Toowoomba Regional Council bought Stan Kuhl's original home block which increased the size of the park to approximately 5.3 hectares. This acquisition includes the house, and is of huge benefit to the Park. 

Just half of Stan Kuhl's original home block.
The Old Dairy and nursery can be seen in the background.

September 2012 saw the start of the 'Stump in Time' project.

Slicing the stump