[2] The oldest plantings in the park include Moreton Bay figs, a camphor laurel and a Bunya pine that date from the mid Victorian period (c.1869–70s).

Evidence of their occupation can be found in the form of rock shelters with deposits, open campsites, middens, axe-grinding groove sites, scarred trees, hand stencils and drawings.

Aboriginal people living in this location would have had access to freshwater and saltwater food resources such as: ducks, eels, shellfish, crayfish, fish and turtles.

[4] Parramatta CBD, at the time of European settlement, is thought to have been the territorial lands of the Burramattagal (also spelt Boromedegal, Boora me di-gal, Booramedegal and Burramedigal).

[4] European settlers, attracted to Parramatta for its fertile soils and its suitability for water transport, began arriving in the region in the late 18th Century.

Access to the second floor factory was via a yard that also contained auxiliary workrooms and sheds set against the perimeter wall, and was the domain of female convicts.

From its inception, then, the factory was intended to be a place where women who had not been immediately assigned to masters upon arrival in New South Wales were gainfully employed in tasks that were beneficial to the colony, and where corrupting influences could be kept at bay.

[4] A larger space for the women was not forthcoming until 1817 when Governor Macquarie started arranging the design and construction of a new purpose-built barracks for female convicts.

The Bunya pine (Araucaria bidwillii), pepper tree (Schinus areira), camphor laurels (Cinnamomum camphora) and Moreton Bay figs (Ficus macrophylla) seen today were probably planted at this time or soon after.

In the 1880s, for example, events included open-air moonlight and afternoon concerts, a "great...go-as-you-please" 48-hour tournament in a "monster marquee" capable of holding 3,000 people and "brilliantly illuminated each evening," as well as a "Words of Grace Tent" where locals could attend evangelistic services.

Young "Sunday Larrikins" and "hoodlums" were also known to be "violently opening the large gates...defacing the palisade fence," and throwing rocks at the trees, causing them - as well as innocent bystanders - serious injury.

[4] In 1891 the bandstand was completed specifically in the shape of a late Victorian rotunda featuring decorative cast iron posts, brackets and valance capped with a copper roof.

[4] In the Federation era, particularly, the park began to adopt its current visage with the inclusion of an avenue of Canary Island palms (Phoenix canariensis), along the south-east/north-west diagonal pathway in 1918.

In 1923 the Parramatta Soldiers' Memorial was completed, with a stone obelisk and platform base, to commemorate World War I and, eventually, other subsequent conflicts.

A single photograph from 1933 shows the gun in the north-western quarter of the park towards a large Moreton Bay fig tree and the Anderson fountain.

[4] In April 1935, acommemorative Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) was planted by the international founders of Rotary Club, Paul and Jean Harris, on the occasion of their visit to Parramatta.

[4] During World War II Prince Alfred Park was the site of community air raid shelters cut in a zig-zag pattern on the southern side of the south-east/north-west diagonal pathway.

[4] Key elements that enhance the setting of the square are the former St. Peter's Congretational Church (1871) on Church/Palmer Streets to its east, St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral (1854-1936) and Our Lady of Mercy College (1889) on the northwest corner of Victoria Road and Marist Place, the Old King's School/Marsden Rehabilitation Centre (1836-1970s) and Murphy House (1904) on Marist Place to the south-west, and the Parramatta Riverside Theatres (1988) to the south on Market Street facing the river.

[4] At the north-east corner of the square, terminating one of the diagonal paths, is a sandstone clock tower monument that was erected to commemorate the services to the district of George Gollan, MLA and former cabinet minister.

Inscribed 'ANDERSON FOUNTAIN A bequest from the late Dr Anderson to the inhabitants of Parramatta Erected February 1882 Trustee James Pye Esq Rocky Hall.

The item is of state heritage significance for its association with notable people (Government Farm superintendent Henry Dodd, Governors Phillip, Hunter, King & Bourke, the Reverend Samuel Marsden, HRH Prince Alfred) and events (Castle Hill Rebellion).

[4] The Square with its collection of monuments and mature trees are dominated by surrounding (State and Local heritage) sandstone churches and C19th schools which provide a high quality urban precinct evocative of the various periods of development of Parramatta.

This item is aesthetically significant at a state level as a formal urban open space, built on an early (1837) village green, from later memorial plantings in 1869/70s, Federation and interwar periods.

[4] The collection of monuments and mature trees and its setting dominated by (State and Local heritage) sandstone churches and C19th schools provides a high quality urban precinct evocative of the various periods of development of Parramatta.This item is aesthetically significant at a state level as a formal urban open space, built on an early (1837) village green, from later memorial plantings in 1869/70s, Federation and interwar periods.

[4] The collection of monuments and mature trees and its setting dominated by (State and Local heritage) sandstone churches and C19th schools provides a high quality urban precinct evocative of the various periods of development of Parramatta.

Prince Alfred Square is of importance for the local community's sense of place, however, it has the potential social value for the people of Sydney/Western Sydney given its role and use for events and commemorations.

The archaeological resources this site will most likely present evidence of past human culture and activity, and therefore have potential to yield scientific and historical information.

Prince Alfred Square and potential archaeological site is likely to comprise relics of state significance, demonstrating the nature of life within the second Parramatta gaol (1804–1841) and first Female Factory (1804–1821).

Prince Alfred Square and potential archaeological site meets this criterion of state significance because the civic park is rare for its age, and for its representative formal layout and plantings, of the Victorian, Federation and interwar eras.

Any archaeology associated with the gaol and factory complexes (1802–1841) would be considered representative of the convict experience within early correctional institutions, albeit part of a rare group of structures.