One of the city’s main parks is Franklin Square, which is named after the Arctic explorer and former Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, Sir John Franklin. It hosts public gatherings, markets and nighttime events, as well as being a popular place for city workers to have their lunch. 

In addition to a statue of Sir John Franklin and the square’s centrepiece fountain, there’s a giant chess set for visitors to use. In one corner of the square is a ship-inspired sculpture by Nigel Helyer titled “Two Islands”, which draws together histories of Tasmanian Aboriginal and European settler cultures .