30 July 2011

i'm grateful for . . . 'the park of all parks, best playground EVER'

Greetings all,
Well you are probably getting to know what kind of family we are . . . outdoorsy, active & all about our children.  There are terms like 'unplugging', 'free range parenting' & the 'let your children climb trees' movement - or you could just bloody well raise your children how you were raised - without technology, with parents saying "go outside & don't come back until it's dark" & allowing them to use their imagination & siblings for entertainment!!  Doesn't that make sense??  It's free & you'll find your children at their best, it's the greatest investment of everyone's time & energy.  
 I'm not even going to tell you how high this branch was!!  I don't worry or hover over my children, even as babies - yes, they were exposed to parks as new borns & loved spinning, swinging & crawling around . . . they knew their strengths, they don't fall & if they ask for help, i explain they are trying to do something beyond their skill or size, i'm not giving them a leg up.  To us, the park is their natural habitat (read: Army housing usually has crappy small 'rental' style backgardens of nothing). 
 I love that i have a high schooler who still loves climbing trees . . . 
 & a non-Avatar fan squealing with delight that this was the Navi forrest . . .
 it's actually the Cotton Tree Forest at the Pirate Park at Scarborough Beach near Redcliffe Qld, a short drive up from Brisbane & you pass all those Queenslanders to get here.
 Very glad this girl had leggings on under her skirt . . .
 she was practically doing hand stands on those big tree limbs.
 They climbed so high & right up the top . . . is my husband!!
 Our children started creating their own 'tree houses' & inviting each other over to visit . . .
 i took 80 photos here, it was hard to limit them for a blog post.
 This is the top of a cotton tree . . .
 & the children worked out how to get down themselves!!
Maxabella Loves, this week I'm Grateful For . . . the most amazing park find in the universe (& we've been to Disneyland) we only dragged ourselves away due to aching hunger, it was the true highlight to our school holidays & best of all, we had no idea this park even existed!!  Love Posie

33 comments:

Kellie Collis said...

What a wonderful day! That tree looks amazing! Enjoy the gorgeous weekend, Kellie xx

deux chiens et un garcon said...

Dear posie, you inpsire me to let my true instincts loose.

xxx

leanne can blog said...

That is an amazing tree. I agree, let the kids climb and be adventurous. So good for them!

leanne can blog said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tania said...

What an amazing tree that is and no wonder your kid's are having so much fun climbing it. Who needs a playground when you have that tree? ( I personally find playgrounds overrated anyway!)

Seana Smith said...

Oh this looks absolutely fantastic. I must put it on my to-do list - my kids would love it!

Flibbertigibbet said...

I thought the trees looked very familiar - we went to that park last September when in Brisbane for a family wedding. Miss Diva fell out of a tree ...

Unknown said...

Miss Posie

What great photo's.

I need some of those calm nerves of yours - I think I would be a bit nervous with all that tree climbing.

It looks a sensational park - I haven't visited it and it is now on a "one to visit" list.

I must admit I was a tomboy when I was little and climbed our trees in our back yard

have a lovely weekend

x
Loulou

Kellie said...

That looks like so much fun. What a great find! I love your spirit! xx

Anonymous said...

We could never have stopped our kids from climbing even if we wanted too :) There is nothing like a good tree to swing from.

x

Nurture the Little People said...

I love a good park. For me a great park has to be a good combination of nature and man made.
The trees look like awesome fun!

Nicola

Checking you out from Maxabella's grateful linky!

Becks said...

Sounds like such fun. And thumbs up to you for encouraging your children to use their imagination. We need more of that. B xx

Baby By The Sea said...

Pretty sure that's the most amazing tree ever. It makes me remember all the giant Oaks I used to climb. Great pictures, and glad I stumbled here.

Sam said...

We love this park, it's also great for toddlers too. Our kids love to climb trees, it's so natural and I agree its important to let them test their own limits, they usually surprise us don't they? x

Maxabella said...

Wow, what an amazing tree! When we are next in QLD I will go out of my way to get us here!! x

Tina said...

What fabulous, fun & FREE memories were made that day, Posie! Happy weekend to you all ~ xx

Ruby Star said...

Cool park, have been there with the kids when we lived in Brissie but sadly the trees were all out of bounds, i'm thinking for maintnance. Brissie has loads of awesome parks and fun stuff for kids to do. Even better when you stumble across an awesome one.

Kylie said...

So much fun - am going to have to go for a drive again and find this part - i dont think I have found it - there is another near by there that is lots of fun too:)

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Everyone, the park is marked on your Brisbane street directory map, it's called the Pirate Park at Scarborough Beach. Park (free parking) at the beach foreshore & just keep walking through the playground one end, or directly at the end car park & you're RIGHT THERE. It's awesome, love Posie

Tiff said...

Wow what an awesome park! I will take the kids next holidays! They love climbing trees and those are magnificent! It is so wonderful to see the children enjoy the simple pleasures.... using their imaginations and having so much fun! x

Claudia Lane said...

What an amazing sculptural tree...I'm still staring...
This place looks surreal...what a wnderful and inspirational playground
Have a wonderful day Posie
Claudia xo

Roan said...

Certainly a fun way to spend the day! My brother and I loved to climb trees, as did my children. I like your parenting style.

Bron said...

How fantastic that councils still leave these kind of trees in for such occasion as children wanting to climb...they are magnificent.

Anonymous said...

That's the best kind of climbing equipment ever! Love that tree!

polkadotpeticoat said...

these trees are amazing....wonderful day!

TexWisGirl said...

what an awesome day for your kids! those trees are phenomenal! really wonderful natural 'monkey bars'.

1000 Homes of Happiness said...

Posie, that is one AMAZING tree. My little Ava was taking a peek at your pics sitting next to me and said 'Mumma, that looks like the stalk from Jack and the Bean Stalk!'.

What a lovely part of the world. I must confess I would feel a touch nervous having my little ones up so high...I'm slowly learning to let them go...the looks on your kiddies faces captures it all...such freedom in their smiles.

Happy weekend to you Posie...x

Anonymous said...

YAY! Me too!

Lene said...

Oh wow! That park looks amazing. Well worth the trip from the GC to check it out I think! I love a bit of tree climbing.

Found you thanks to Maxabella Loves...

G said...

oh trees are just awesome!! and park finding too. i still remember the memorable ones from my childood! x

Unknown said...

This is a truly lovely post Posie. Such adventure in those photos, really makes me want to get outdoors and go exploring x

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