Rye community playground
What does a community do when they have an old run down playground that is loosing appeal? For the Rye community it was simple, they would build it themselves.
A community group was formed and aptly named Rye's Up! This group oversaw 700 volunteers during the 5 days of construction. An enormous effort to get that many skilled volunteers working together to create this masterpiece. It seems everyone pitched in and those who couldn't donate time, donated money and their names are now on the pickets surrounding the playground. Local businesses kept volunteers fed and hydrated throughout. A team effort to be applauded!
The playground launch took place on October 31st 2012.
View from the top of the ship
When we visited it was swarming with children and their parents, something I dread when I go to the playground with four children, however, with the playground being fully fenced with only one escape route made it doable.
Slide
Children were having a ball running about and climbing up and down all the obstacles whilst the younger ones enjoyed all the under ship secret port holes and interconnecting wooden bridges and walk ways.
Mini lighthouse
There are some more challenging obstacles for the older kids with rock climbing wall, net swings, and a monkey bar type obstacle course.
It seems the lawn surrounding the playground is just as popular as the playground itself with dozens of people laying out picnic rugs and camp chairs to enjoy a BBQ lunch whilst others preferred fish and chips from across the road.
Distance from the beach to the playground
The playground is located opposite the main shopping area on the Rye foreshore and adjoins the pier. The beach here has the softest sand I have felt on the peninsula.
Another popular Rye playground
One downside to the playground is that between November to April you need to pay for car parking, alternatively you can park behind the shops for free and cross at the traffic lights.
Rye front beach
