The community first became aware of the proposal for the Apple Fun Park in 2007.  The then Community Development Officer, Ms Wendy Trow, consulted with the community and shared posters of the plans for the project around the Shire.  Community members were excited with the idea of the project, which was made possible through donations from community members, numerous volunteers and the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup. 

Ms Trow consulted with community members informing them that this project would put Donnybrook on the map, it would be good for local businesses and real estate values would increase as it would bring young families to the town.  She was right!

The Fun Park came together with the help of many volunteers and community contributions.  Thank you to all involved who made this project happen.  Our town become known throughout Australia, everyone came to play in the park.  Prior to the park Donnybrook was referred to as the place which grows apples, now everyone knows our town as being the one with the amazing free park.

The park was built within the expected time frame and quickly families began flocking to Donnybrook to visit the park.  It was officially opened Easter 2008 by the then Minister of Education and Training and the South West Mr Mark McGowan.  “The Park was made possible due to the vision and outstanding generosity of numerous local businesses and hundreds of volunteers.  It is dedicated to all those involved in the construction of this park and is a shining example of the strong community spirit that exists within the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup.”  How proud we all were with this amazing achievement through the combined effort of both community and government working together. 

The park remained opened until mid-April 2021, when a fence was erected and the park was closed, demolition commenced on 12.05.021. However, instead of recycling and re-using the equipment pictured it was sadly demolished and laid to rest in the former Donnybrook Shire Depot.  Most of the equipment, community members so proudly constructed and even funded, has been demolished and placed next to the JP Metals skip bin.  Unfortunately, it appears that the equipment is not suitable to reuse anywhere else in our Shire.  The picture above shows many pieces which could have been reassembled, even the equipment installed as late as 2013 has been demolished, this equipment was only seven years old.

A significant boost of more than $1.5 million in Federal Government funding was received to revitalise the playground. Member for Forrest Nola Marino said the $1,505,009 comes from Round 3 of the Building Better Regions Fund.  It is predicted the park will reopen for the September/October 2021 school holidays, which are due to commence on the 25.09.2021.  The project promises the following:

BIGGER - Huge Apple Crate Tower, 8m high with treetop suspension rope tunnels, speed spiral tube slide & curly apple peel tube slide, highest of its kind in the SOUTH WEST.

• 20% more play area
• 26 New Shade Sails

BETTER 

125 more play activities, including:

BRIGHTER  

BEAUTIFUL

BRAND NEW

The pictures below are the plans distributed by the Shire on the website.  No longer do we have the dedicated Community Development Officer enabling community to get on board with the project by showing detailed plans and seeking volunteers to assist. 

At present, it is great to see dedicated contract employees in the park when we drive past, we now need to be patient and wait to see how it all rolls out. Local businesses and families will be so very keen for September to come and the project to be complete - it will then be time to play in the park again.  Here’s to hoping it goes to plan and budget and delivered by the predicted date.