APPLE FUN PARK

By Dave Roberts

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It’s true that at certain times of a person’s life or in a business cycle, the game has to be all about surviving or putting all the energy into growth.  As a business develops, or as a person gets past those really demanding times, opportunities come to do great things for others.

There is a project underway in Donnybrook that shows this off pretty well.  I had seen signs around telling me that this was on it’s way, and so I rang Peter McCabe, whose name was on the sign, to ask about the Apple Fun Park.  The fun park will be set right in the middle of town, and is designed to be a tourist icon, as well as offering a focus and some joy for local people.  Work has already started, and there is an opening date set.  Peter McCabe is the project manager and when I asked him about how long until he thought the park might be open, he said there was no room for doubts like that, the park WILL BE OPENED on Easter Saturday, 2008, as part of the Donnybrook Apple Festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This has been designed to be the biggest free entry fun park in Australia.  When it’s done it will all be owned by the Shire of Balingup/ Donnybrook, and it will be fenced, security lit, camera watched, and open free for 7 days per week.

What heartens us at South West Life so much, though, is that is has come about by simple generosity.  The main impetus came from an anonymous donor who stumped up $600 000.  Yes, an anonymous donor.  Peter McCabe tells me it’s be easier to reveal who they were, but it’s not what they want.  The Shire are putting up a valuable piece of land in the centre of town, and adding $150 000 for fences, toilets, lights and the like.  With that going on, there have been a range of donors who will put in more, or less, according to what they can afford.  After being told that there are a bunch of donors and some of the big ones don’t want to be named, we’re loathe to mention anyone, but watch this story because we think that recognition for a good deed is something that should happen if it can.

As gifts come forward, - concrete, barbecues, fencing, co ordination time, more is available to be purchased from the funds donated, and the fun park looks like being something that people from all over will travel to use and enjoy.  The barbies have shade sails in the latest improvement as an example.

This park is designed to work for the whole family.  There are places for toddlers, the big triple slides are from a tower of 10.5 m, which will attract much bigger kids (I know some in their 40s who’ll be keen), and there is an adult fitness area.  If you arrive on a day when full on play isn’t your main plan there are lawned areas, seats and shade. 

January 2008