As President of the New Farm Bowls Club across the road from the park, Dean is embedded in the community that makes the park so special. Here he stands on the site of the once iconic Summerhouse Cafe. Photography: Bella Duncan
Dean Merlo: A lifetime shaped by New Farm Park
By Bella Duncan
For Dean Merlo, New Farm Park has been a constant presence throughout his life, a place filled with memories stretching from childhood to today.
One of his earliest memories is of the old kiosk, which stood at the heart of the park.
As a young boy, it was a place of excitement and simple joy.
“Coming here after school and getting lollies at the kiosk was a highlight for me,” Dean recalls.
“It was an old-worldly place with timber steps and a proper counter. It was part of the heritage of this park.”
He also remembers attending weddings on the lawns nearby and fishing along the river with his father, catching catfish and enjoying time together outdoors.
These everyday experiences helped shape his connection to the space.
At the time, the park was quiet.
“When I was a boy walking around here, there was nobody here really,” he said.
“Now it’s packed. It’s great to see Brisbane embracing such a fantastic green space.”
Over the years, Dean has watched the park evolve while retaining its essential character.
The jacaranda trees, vibrant gardens and open lawns have remained familiar landmarks, carefully maintained and deeply valued by the community.
As a parent, the park became part of his own children’s upbringing.
He brought his kids to the playground, watched them play sport and shared family outings that created a new generation of memories.
“We’d always come here,” he said.
“Watching the kids play soccer, taking them to the playground, those were lovely times.”
Dean also recognises the park’s connection to New Farm’s strong Italian heritage.
With his own family roots in Italy, he remembers a large Italian festival once held in the park, bringing thousands of people together in celebration.
“It felt right to have it here,” he said.
“This area has deep Italian origins.”
Despite the many changes around it, Dean believes the park remains one of Brisbane’s most important spaces.
“To me, it’s like Central Park in New York,” he said.
“You’ve got this incredible green space right in the middle of the city.”
Today, Dean still walks through New Farm Park regularly, reflecting on the memories it holds.
For him, it is more than just a park.
It is a place that has shaped his life, his family and his sense of belonging, and remains a treasured part of Brisbane’s story.
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