The Park commemorates Thomas Jack who was Mayor of Dalby for 22 years until he passed away in 1952. His obituary in the Charleville Times on 22 May 1952 describes him as 'a most hospitable Mayor', and goes on to say:

'No distinguished personage, cabinet minister, church leader (without regard to creed), ever came to Dalby for the first time without being accorded a civic reception. He was the personal friend of governors, premiers and cabinet ministers, and church dignitaries.'

The Park was used as a football club and to host travelling shows and circuses until 1951 when Mayor Thomas Jack decided to designate it as a community space for 'park and recreation'. After his death, Dalby Town Council made the decision to change the park's name to Thomas Jack Memorial Park to recognise the generosity of Thomas Jack in gifting this recreation space to the people of Dalby.

Since that time, Council has worked hard to acquire properties adjacent the original Park always with a passion for growing the parkland and giving the Dalby community even more greenspace and a greater area to meet, gather and play.

The Park has seen many changes and plenty of construction in its time, as different parts of the Dalby community have made their contribution to its evolution:

• 1950s: the original Thomas Jack Park was around half of what it is now, with the rest covered by housing. Over the following decades Council began to purchase houses and expand the park.
• 1955: Dalby Rotary Club install the park's first playground.
• 1962: Dalby's improved water supply means the park could be further developed including a new playground.
• 1988: Visitor Information Centre is added.
• 1996: a landscape master plan is prepared to guide development and shape the evolution of the park for the next 30 years.
• 1999: the Lions Club along with Dalby Town Council and Queensland goverment fund construction of the Lions Lagoon water feature.

Over the course of consultation with the community in 2022 and 2023, we've heard from well over 1000 people about their hopes and dreams for the future of Thomas Jack Park.

What we heard is that this area is more than a Park; it's a community anchor for residents of Dalby and beyond throughout our lives. It's where our toddlers run around the playground, kids have birthday picnics, teens spend time together after school, travellers stop for a rest, families host summer barbecues, couples take their dogs for winter walks and spend moments of quiet reflection amongst the trees. All of these uses are important and will be maintained as the Park evolves.

The future Park will be a space for play and recreation as well as learning, entertainment and celebration. See the opportunities to have your say over on the What's Next page.