A place for adventure

When we bought our first home a few years ago we didn’t give much thought to the massive park at the end of the street. It is only now that we have a toddler that we are realising just how big a part it is going to play in our family, and how many childhood memories it will provide for The Bean. It is an amazing, beautifully maintained space.

The park brings a vibrant feel to our neighbourhood that is usually lacking in this sleepy town. Some days it seems it is almost a living thing—when the sky is grey and the park is empty, it appears lonely and bereft. When the sun is shining the park hums with noise and activity and the energy is tangible.

Yesterday was a perfect spring day for a picnic, and while enjoying the sunshine we were treated to the sight of a pair of kookaburras flying between the tops of the giant gum trees and pausing to sing their beautiful song. There were hundreds of people in the park and it was noisy with ball games and parties. Whenever the kookaburras began their chorus a respectful silence descended on the park as people paused to enjoy it.

As my baby girl grows she will experience so many magical moments in this park. She will enjoy the company of friends, family and strangers. She will explore and discover, and hopefully she will find her own safe, special place—her own little corner of the world where she can laugh and cry and daydream.

She will no doubt experience skinned knees and bruises, she will fall and bump her head, and she will probably be swooped by a magpie on more than one occasion. When she is grown I hope she looks back at her many adventures in the park and remembers it with the same affection as she would an old and dear friend. 

Well, the sun is shining again today and the park is calling…