Central Park had many remarkable features, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said at Monday’s announcement.

“Central Park is of state heritage significance as an outstanding example in NSW of a substantially intact High Victorian formal town park,” he said.

While it played a key role at recent Armistice Day events in Armidale, the link between Central Park and commemorating war sacrifice stretches back more than 100 years.

The band rotunda was officially opened as a South African (Boer) War Memorial in March 1902 and the fountain, which opened in 1922 as a memorial to the Great War, is believed to be the only one of its type in NSW and potentially Australia.

The third significant monument in the park commemorates the HMAS Armidale, the Australian Navy ship named after the city, which sunk during the Second World War, with 100 lives lost.

READ MORE: Vandals attacked war memorial on Remembrance Day in 2016

Aside from its incredible built heritage, the park was also significant for its plantings across its two hectares, some of which were established by Brother Francis Gatti, a capuchin lay brother attached to St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral nearby.

“Central Park has one of the finest collections of conifers in regional NSW and contains an unusual collection of nationally rare trees including the Lucombe Oak, Southern Live Oak and Douglas Fir,” Mr Marshall said.

“Formally proclaimed in 1887, Central Park has long been an important part of the Armidale community and I am pleased its significance to NSW heritage has now been recognised.

“I commend Armidale Regional Council for nominating the park for the State Heritage Register and to its parks and garden staff for continuing to maintain the park to such a high standard.”

Meanwhile, work continues to see Armidale’s old courthouse added to the State Heritage Register. The application will be considered by the NSW Heritage Council at its first meeting of 2019, in early February.