Franklin Square (Hobart)

Franklin Square is a 1.6-acre (0.63-hectare) oak-lined public square located in the Hobart central business district in Tasmania, Australia. It is named for the British Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, who served as the 4th Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land. The centrepiece of the park is a statue of Franklin, with an epitaph written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. As the city's most central urban parkland and transportation hub, Franklin Square is frequently utilised for festive markets, public gatherings and as a place for public protest.

Franklin Square and the Treasury buildings were built on the site of the Old Government House, which was demolished in 1858. Originally named George's Square in honour of King George IV, Governor Lachlan Macquarie envisioned the site being utilised for a church, courthouse, town hall, public market, as well as a main guard for stationed troops and a public garrison parade area, as regular musters had previously been held on the grounds of the Old Government House since at least 1817. Eventually it was decided that a public space was required to establish a centre point for the growing colony as a community meeting place. In 1860, a parliamentary resolution was passed dedicating funds for the creation of a statue and fountain as the centrepiece for the new gated central park in honour of Sir John Franklin.

On May 20, 1863, two oak trees were planted in Franklin Square by the second Governor of Tasmania, Thomas Gore Browne, and Harriet Louisa Browne, commemorating the marriage of Edward VII to Alexandra of Denmark. A public procession led by citizens gathered at the square, where the Mayor Alfred Kennerley addressed His Royal Highness in the British tradition. The Governor and Mrs. Browne each planted an oak, with His Excellency noting, "As loyalty is deeply rooted in Tasmania's people, may these trees flourish as a symbol of our enduring allegiance to the Sovereign". To honour the 50th year of the occasion, Tasmanian Premier William Propsting installed a memorial plaque at the trees on November 9, 1903, His Majesty King Edward VII's birthday.

The threat of an Axis power invasion was heightened during the Second World War, first following the German auxiliary cruiser Pinguin laying two minefields in Storm Bay between 31 October and 1 November 1939, and a Japanese reconnaissance flight recorded over Hobart during the same period as the Bombing of Darwin in 1942. Due to its centralised location within the Hobart CBD, Franklin Square was transformed into a bomb shelter until the remainder of the war, offering shelter for 900 people.

In 2015, Franklin Square was closed for significant upgrades including the hydraulic and electrical systems for the centrepiece fountain, renovations on the Elizabeth Street restrooms, newly established garden beds, retaining walls, improved pathway access and the relocation of the giant chess board. Celery-top pine wood was recovered from Lake Pieman as part of the new Hydrowood project to make the park's new furnishings. Franklin Square officially reopened on 27 May 2016.

Franklin Square has long been utilised as a place for peaceful public protest for causes such as worker's rights, pro-Tibet demonstrations and government regulations surrounding genetically modified crops. Notable historic events include:

Franklin Square measures roughly 75 by 85 metres (246 ft × 279 ft) of open space in a skewed rectangle, occupying roughly a whole urban block bounded by Macquarie, Elizabeth, and Davey Streets and the Treasury buildings, which face Murray Street. From the eastern Davey-Elizabeth corner, the parkland climbs sharply 8 metres (26 ft) to a relatively flat area next to Macquarie Street with a high bank to lower Elizabeth Street and to Davey Street. The Franklin Square Offices (formerly known as the Public Buildings), a private road or parking space next to them, as well as sidewalks and perimeter bus shelters along Macquarie and Elizabeth Streets, all encircle the square. The parkland is also bordered by a terraced retaining wall along Davey Street. The open public square is directly opposite the Hobart Bus Mall and Hobart GPO building.

Franklin Square's leafy character is greatly distinguished by English elms (Ulmus minor) and Tilias that are over 150 years old. To the east of the centre pavement, there is a single Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and a scattering of medium-sized New Zealand evergreen trees.