Robyn and Julie Nance: Having picnics together again after many years was a joy.
Story and photos by Julie Nance
Julie Nance invited her 82-year-old mum to join her on outings in Lower Mountains parks, after months of being confined to home due to sickness. With fond memories of family picnics growing up, their quality time together in nature gave them both a much-needed lift.
Key Points:
- A considerable number of studies confirm that visits to green spaces and exposure to natural elements can decrease psychological strain, increase psychological well-being and support recovery from illnesses. (Source: Beyond Blue to Green: The benefits of contact with nature for mental health and well-being, Deakin University.)
- There are a number of accessible parks in the Lower Mountains.
- A new Blue Mountains Mobility Map, launched in July 2024, is a Council initiative designed to improve the accessibility experience for all residents and visitors, particularly those with specific accessibility needs.
Mum and I spend a lot of time together in her little house drinking tea and coffee, sharing meals and watching our favourite shows.
We’re lucky to be living so close, with only one house separating ours.
When mum’s health took a sudden downward turn, it was difficult to see her struggle and grow increasingly frail. For six months she was trapped at home. The focus of her life was the community nurses visiting three times a week. Thanks to their care, mum returned to a semblance of good health.
Even before mum got sick, she was unsteady on her pins and the options for spending quality time with her had diminished. There was only a small selection of local cafes and restaurants she felt comfortable visiting due to access.
We never went anywhere together near nature.
Mum has lovely trees in her backyard, but she doesn’t feel confident to go down her back steps onto the grass. She’d benefit from the bush view from our deck, but the front stairs are a major deterrent to her visiting.
Mum explains: “I can’t manage public transport anymore and whenever I go out there’s always the fear of falling on uneven surfaces. Even slight slopes are daunting.”
“It’s frustrating not to be able to do things easily, being dependent on other people. For a long time going out has been governed by the ease of access including parking, toilets and even the chairs I sit in. I often struggle to get back on my feet.”
Mum admits that after being confined to her house for so long, including during COVID lockdowns, it has been far easier to stay put.
We reminisced about the weekend picnics from our past. Mum and Dad regularly took my brother, sister and I to different locations on the outskirts of Brisbane where we’d spend hours eating, chatting, reading and exploring.
We hoped our trip down picnic memory lane would be enjoyable for us both.
I had visions of making cakes and slices to bring on our picnics. As a non-baker, I wasn’t well organised. I looked up how to make banana and date cake, but I was missing two key ingredients.
I phoned mum and changed the date from morning tea to lunch. I decided to pick up a vegetarian pizza from Glenbrook. Not bringing homemade goodies felt like cheating, but really, who was setting the rules here?
As I was looking up the number to order the pizza, it dawned on me: mum is terrified of birds. She had spent some family picnics sitting in the car when too many birds were hovering around our picnic table.
As a child she was regularly swooped by magpies on her route to school and she has never shaken off that fear. I couldn’t believe she hadn’t raised the subject with me. She probably didn’t want to spoil our plans. I crossed my fingers the birds would behave.
Armed with a picnic hamper and mum’s walker, we set off. Albie, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was a late addition. I thought: he deserves to have more variety in his life too, doesn’t he?
Whitton Park, Moore St, Glenbrook
I pulled into an accessible car spot and I soon learned (from a sign) that the provision of wheelchair access and the upgrade of facilities was part of a community project in November 2018 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains. The park is dedicated to the memory of John Whitton: ‘the father of NSW Railways and especially the railway over the Blue Mountains’.
Mum easily walked from the car to the picnic area via a wide cement path.
Have walker, will travel.
There were two picnic tables under a shelter to choose from, overlooking a big grass reserve with lots of trees. There’s a traditional children’s playground and an off-leash dog area in the distance.
The park is next to the Glenbrook Panthers Bowling Club, with the main hub of Glenbrook just across the highway.
Mum was impressed with the surroundings.
Happy days – Mum’s first picnic in more than 15 years.
Mum’s thoughts: “It was easy to get to the table and it was very relaxing. It was such a great opportunity for us to spend quality time together outside my home.”
Thankfully there were no birds deterring mum from chilling out and Albie behaved.
We were the only ones at the park, including at the little playground.
Glenbrook Park, Park Rd, Glenbrook (access from Ross St or Park St)
I feel this park needs little introduction for locals. It is accessible and convenient. There’s the main street nearby with plenty of cafes and restaurants if you don’t feel like bringing your own picnic provisions. The Visitor Information Centre next door is helpful for tourists and the cinema allows you to have a movie-picnic combo.
There’s an accessible toilet adjoining the park which includes an adult change table to assist grandparents, parents or carers. This toilet is fitted with a Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) allowing people with disabilities or others who meet eligibility criteria to use the facilities 24 hours a day. To find out more about the scheme that is recognised Australia wide, follow this link.
The park has a fenced accessible playground which enables children with disabilities to play alongside their peers. This includes several swing options, a dual-seated flying fox, in-ground trampolines and more!
Glenbrook Park is very popular so it may be best to arrive early if you want to score one of the three covered tables, particularly on weekends. When we arrived at 10am on a Tuesday we could take our pick of tables and one of the two electric barbecues.
It may be easier to find a table early on a weekday compared to the busy weekend.
The revamped playground is impressive.
Mum says: “I remember two of my grandsons playing in the park more than two decades ago. It has come a long way over that time. It was very quiet when we visited but I can imagine it must have a great atmosphere on weekends when families are out and about.”
Harley Park, Emu Plains Rd, Mt Riverview
This was a hidden treasure, located in the back streets of Mt Riverview. We visited on a Saturday morning, and we were the only ones there.
It is fully fenced and has three entrances, one with stairs and two accessible on a walker. We parked out the front of the gate on Emu Plains Rd, where there’s an impressive view of the city.
Mum’s impressions: “There’s a lovely view over the valley and it’s very quiet.”
All set to tuck into our delicious spread.
St Johns Oval and Playground, St Johns Rd, Blaxland
Situated next to the oval and multi-purpose courts, the playground is surrounded by trees and features a choice of three uncovered picnic tables. We sat near the courts.
There’s an accessible toilet which a sign indicates is open in winter from 6am to 6pm and in summer from 6am to 7pm.
Mum and Albie hanging out.
Mum says: “It was nice looking out to a little bush area from our table. It was pleasant. It’s great if you want to bring your children or grandkids. There are so many things for them to do, for toddlers through to teenagers and young adults.”
Diving back into the world of picnicking was a big success. It was great to shake up our usual catch-up options within four walls. Getting outside for Mum and I made all the difference.
Take Action:
- For a psychological boost, catch up with family or friends outside, in sight of or within nature.
- Check out this University of NSW article which highlights that green space potentially protects people against loneliness. By encouraging relaxation and playfulness – which can be frowned upon in other settings – green spaces may also enable connection for people who otherwise find it difficult, such as those with highly introverted personalities.
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This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
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