Governor Charles La Trobe set aside in 1845 a reservation of for parkland and open space, however, by the time of its proclamation in 1854 this had been reduced to a reserve of . This was further reduced to with the rapid increase of population from the Victorian gold rush, to form the suburb of Parkville from three new residential areas, Parkville North, South and West. In 1861 the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens was allocated . Further excisions followed for roads, tramline and the Upfield railway line; University High School (1929), Royal Melbourne Hospital (1944), Royal Children's Hospital (1957), Royal Dental Hospital (1963).