western australia

The Donnybrook playground reopens

@JudyEv (326222)

Rockingham, Australia

November 1, 2021 6:24pm CST

We recently spent a few days in our old home town of Donnybrook. There is a big playground there that was built quite some years ago when a local woman donated $1 million for its erection. The massive playground brought other benefits as well as coffee shops opened hither and thither to cater for the parents who needed a coffee while their children played. Busloads would come from nearby schools for end-of-year celebrations. Two big barbecues became popular for birthday and other celebrations. Toilets were built to cope with the numbers. Then enterprising locals opened gift shops and cafes. It gave a great lift to the town at the time. A short while ago, the town was closed for some months while the equipment was upgraded and renovated. You can see some of the new attractions in the collage. I’m sure all the kids in the area will be pleased it is again open for business.

13 people like this

16 responses

@rebelann (111286)

• El Paso, Texas

2 Nov 21

Kids are so lucky these days, I only recall sand boxes and swings now and again on the military bases we lived in before dad was stationed in El Paso.

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@rebelann (111286)

• El Paso, Texas

3 Nov 21

You're right. Kids that get toys and gadgets instead of their parents time doesn't make for happy kids.

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

That's so true. But I doubt they are that much happier for all the stuff they're provided with.

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@xFiacre (12628)

• Ireland

1 Nov 21

@judyev As will be parents I suspect.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

That could certainly be so. There was plenty of activity when we passed there the day after I took the photos.

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@LadyDuck (459514)

• Switzerland

2 Nov 21

I am so glad that the kids will enjoy again playing in a better and renewed playground.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

I think they wore some of the old equipment out!

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (459514)

• Switzerland

2 Nov 21

Kids are very good in destroying stuff.

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

@LadyDuck They are indeed. It all looked solid enough but some of the rope climbing gear was becoming very worn-looking.

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@LindaOHio (157402)

• United States

2 Nov 21

It all looks really cool. A whole mini mall opened up around this playground.

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

Pretty much. There was a bit of controversy for a while about the cost of upkeep but it has been good for business.

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@CarolDM (203451)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Nov 21

What a nice playground. I hope it opens soon.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

It's open again now and getting plenty of use.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203451)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Nov 21

@JudyEv That is great news.

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@DocAndersen (54407)

• United States

2 Nov 21

love the pictures. there is another meaning for Donnybrook, right? I thought it also meant a fight, or brawl...

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

You're right. A donnybrook is a fight. The tractor looks like it's in snow but it's just very white sand.

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 21

@DocAndersen I remember once when I was wrong but it was a long time ago.

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@DocAndersen (54407)

• United States

2 Nov 21

@JudyEv i was right? first time today (yay!!!!!!)

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@RebeccasFarm (86846)

• United States

2 Nov 21

Aw lovely Judy..do you know the nursery school the first one my son ever attended was named Donnybrook..he was 3.

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@RebeccasFarm (86846)

• United States

2 Nov 21

@JudyEv Oh no that was in Abingdon, England..never should have left there..big mistake Judy

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 21

@RebeccasFarm I didn't know there was a Donnybrook in England. I'm sorry you made a mistake leaving.

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

Fancy that. Was that in the US? There is a Donnybrook in Dublin and three, maybe four, in Australia.

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@DaddyEvil (137142)

• United States

2 Nov 21

Will you and Vince be out playing on some of the new entertainments that have recently been installed?

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@DaddyEvil (137142)

• United States

3 Nov 21

@JudyEv Oh, that's cool! I hope you enjoyed it!

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 21

And I made vroom vroom noises! lol

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 21

I had a ride on the tractor.

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@wolfgirl569 (95828)

• Marion, Ohio

2 Nov 21

I would love a park like that around here.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

The kids are so lucky to have this facility.

2 people like this

@RasmaSandra (73743)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

2 Nov 21

It looks like a great place for kids I am sure they will be happy it is open again,

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

There were lots of people there when we passed through last When I took the photos it was getting towards dusk so I guess most kids had gone home.

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@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

2 Nov 21

That's an awesome park

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

It is indeed. Nice to have you back with us again. It's been a while.

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@Ronrybs (17871)

• London, England

2 Nov 21

Just goes to show, the leisure economy is a big thing

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 21

Very true. All the naysayers were up in arms about spending so much on a playground but those were the terms of the will. But it's all good now. Many years ago, Donnybrook was voted the ugliest town in Australia (or it might have been WA).

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Nov 21

@Ronrybs Certainly noisy little devils! Next year we will have a school across the road but nearest to us will be the staff car-park so hopefully that won't be too bad.

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@Ronrybs (17871)

• London, England

3 Nov 21

@JudyEv I have heard the name of the town, but can't remember when or why. I would find it hard to object to a playground for youngsters... so long as it wasn't near me. Noisy little devils!

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@AlifPaull (57)

• Indonesia

2 Nov 21

Wow, this is looks beautiful, amazing.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

It gets a lot of use and has bought a lot of business to the town.

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@Geoffmax (275)

•

2 Nov 21

Nice playground here

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 21

Yes, it is and it's very popular.

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@wilsongoddard (7291)

• United States

4 Nov 21

That looks like such a fun place.

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Nov 21

It is easy to see why kids love it so much.

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@prasuns (1288)

• New Delhi, India

2 Nov 21

Well it looks amazing. Looks like lot of work has been done here, kids are going to have a good time.

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 21

It is very popular as there is a range of activities for the kids.

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@JudyEv (326222)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 21

@prasuns Yes, all kids should be outside playing.

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@prasuns (1288)

• New Delhi, India

3 Nov 21

@JudyEv Its good for kids as they are going to have a very good physical exercise.

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