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Joomunjie Land is a HUGE Loose Parts Play space, located at Eagleby South State School. This place has been built BY children, FOR children!

Also known as Queenland's first "Neighbourhood Backyard", this space has many applications and benefits. Children  say that this space is  somewhere they feel safe, can see their friends, have freedom and have fun!  Parents tell us that their children build social confidence, physical capacity and grow their community connections. Teachers at the school share that  the students who visit Joomunjie Land, demonstrate an increased ability to apply themselves during class time, have improved emotional regulation and decreased behavioural issues across the school. 

Joomunjie Land was built as a response to children who was consulted across Eagleby in 2020. The children who joined a consultation with the Australian Institute of Play shared that there are not enough spaces for children to PLAY where they live. From there, Joomunjie was only possible to build, with help from the student leaders at Eagleby South State School in 2022. Leaders representing each age group, met with staff from the Australian Institute of Play to design, build and maintain this amazing play space. Since then, it was launched to the school and further to local community after school and during school holidays. The adults who work in this space are known as 'Playworkers' and they work as conserve play for children in the area.

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What's a Neighbourhood Backyard?

Children from Joomunjie Land tell us, it's their Backyard. This means it's a safe space that children can get to on their own, where they don't need parents to supervise.  Joomunjie Land is a communal backyard, a neighbourhood backyard! Where all children in the neighbourhood can come and play together.

 

Want to create your own Neighbourhood Backyard?

AIP can help - click here to learn more.

​BENEFITS & OUTCOMES OF NEIGHBOURHOOD BACKYARDS!

Evaluation data for this space has been independently reviewed by Griffith University. They named their report 'Joomunjie Land, So Much More than a Space for Play' to draw attention to significant amount of outcomes and benefits achieved for those involved. .

SUMMARY OF THE REPORTED BENEFITS & OUTCOMES

Children/Students:

  • Grow friendships

  • Helping mental health

  • Learn and master new skills

  • Get physically active

  • Getting off devices

  • Dealing with boredom

  • Meet individual needs

Parents & Carer's

  • Knowing their child is happy, having fun

  • Child is playing safely

  • Offers parent/carer's an opportunity to work, study, or spend time with other children

  • Connects them with the community

School

  • School morale is up

  • The number of behavioural issues (the original reason for beginning Joomunjie Land) have reduced

  • Sense of job satisfaction has improved

NATIONAL AWARD WINNING PLAY SPACE 
2024 BEST PLAYGROUND IN AUSTRALIA

Joomunjie Land won 'Best Playground Design Award at the 2024 Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards.  

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Joomunjie Details

Joomunjie Land is open to the local community after school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during school terms. It's also open for school holidays! Check out the Joomunjie Land Facebook page for more details!

  • Facebook

© 2026 by Australian Institute of Play

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