Newest community park celebrates deep connection to Country

Foundation students from South Rock State School came to explore and discover Yarrabilba’s newest community park, Borrol Lookout, and hear the Indigenous yarn of Bingingerra.

The little learners enjoyed scaling, swinging and playing throughout the new park, which offers the highest vantage point in Yarrabilba. Featuring a significant rocky outcrop called South Rock, the park provides views of Mt Tamborine, Mt Witheren, and Canungra, celebrating the southern vista.

The park’s design incorporates the story of Bingingerra, a giant freshwater turtle who transformed into Mt Bingingerra after a battle between land and sea animals.

RPS and Eureka Landscapes paid careful attention to incorporating these elements into the park’s design, including carvings and a lookout that offers views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Jabree Ltd played a crucial role in showcasing the park’s cultural significance.

The students from Prep to Year 6 enjoyed hearing the Bingingerra story through the park’s features, including its interpretative signage, carvings and playground.

From the park to the classroom, students were broken up into groups, participating in an art workshop with Quandamooka Artist Libby Harward, drawing and painting the animals from the story. Cultural Educator Rick Roser ran through ochre and feather displays.

RPS Group Principal Landscape Architect Emma Fraser said it was fantastic to invite the children to tour the park, which supports community connection, encourages children to learn about the park’s cultural significance, all while embracing the natural surroundings.

“The cultural workshop was a great opportunity to get the local school involved in the space and really share the cultural story with them,” Emma said.

“Through the design of the park, we tried to tell this story and integrate into the play pieces. Telling the story to the children and really getting them to understand it through art pieces and walking them through the site to explore and play in the space, is a great educational tool.

“There are a lot of outdoor educational spaces up there, where they can continue to learn in the future. The students can go up there with the teachers and have an outdoor classroom.”

Emma said during the cultural workshop, it was great to see the students use the space how it is supposed to be used, running around and integrating with nature.

“It’s very important to have spaces like Borrol Lookout. These parks are where community come together to share and retell stories. It’s a great canvas for that retelling of Country and culture.”

To learn more about Yarrabilba’s newest park, click here.