The sleep deprived, the tender of heart, the adventure chasers, the fresh air seekers and the little explorers all find refuge in nature, held within the green space of a city. Central Park in New York, Hyde Park in London, the many botanic gardens of Australia, skirting the periphery of tall skyscrapers that throw long shadows as the sun tries to tumble through the gaps.
Tucked behind Parliament House in Melbourne, a little way down the hill, resides a big family of established trees, a trickle of a creek, a collection of cooling ferns. Fitzroy Gardens is an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the cityscape.
This is one such place where families unravel their obligations, unwind and play. It’s Little Fitzroy Friends Nature Playgroup.
Beneath the canopy of trees gather babies and toddlers, parents and carers, grandparents and nannies.
It is one of those glorious autumnal days. A slight breeze sends leaves fluttering from up high, descending in silent flight like golden butterflies.
“You arrive like this with your shoulders up and then ooowhf, it’s just really peaceful and joyful,” said mum Steph who comes along with her daughter.
“I love the peace it gives my child. We arrive here and especially living in inner-city Melbourne where everyone is in small apartments, the kids go a bit stir crazy inside, so we get to come to this beautiful park, so much space, it’s relaxing. She loves coming around and she’s super playful.”
A baby lying on the colourful picnic mat is gazing up at the light dancing through the leaves. Around him, the children busy themselves in different play spaces.
“Here, somehow, the way that Kaye sets up the environment, you’ve got all these different kids for playtime and they really enjoy it and they focus,” says Steph as she pours a tower of rice through her daughters hands. “They are little and they focus for a long time.”
There is freedom for the children and for the parents, as Steph describes, they find relaxation in the outdoor environment.
“It makes me really happy coming here. It’s so beautiful, the sunshine on my shoulders and we have a great time. Afterwards she has a nice long nap as well. She gets the energy out, when she is outside in nature.”
“For my mental health, it is one of the best things to do every week.”
Kaye has experienced that support firsthand, after attending a nature playgroup with her firstborn. That group was a big inspiration for her beginning this one.
“With parenting, and motherhood in particular, it can be really isolating, especially when you are stuck around naptimes and food and activities for your little ones. There is so much of a load that comes with being a parent.”
“Coming to a playgroup, particularly when it’s outside, and meeting with other people- whether it’s parents or nannies or grandparents or whoever- and being able to share some of those challenges makes you feel not alone. You realise that some of these challenges you carry are actually quite common and there is a lot of power in building friendships with so many wonderful people and realising that you are not alone. It can make all the difference.”
For many families living in inner-city apartments, this regular playgroup creates a sense of belonging and community, for without, days can be long and lonely.
Tess and her daughter Bell have created their own village right in the city, living in the same building but different apartments. The grandmother, daughter and two little ones food shop together, visit the National Gallery of Victoria and surrounding parks.
“We live in the city, on Flinders street, so it is walking distance for us and we do spend a lot of time in the park so it feels quite homely for them, it’s an extension of our garden,” said Tess who plays with granddaughter Peggy.
“These are my only two grandchildren and I love it.”
Not far away Bell plays with daughter, Juniper.
“I love that we can walk here and we don’t have to get into the car and then it becomes a whole day activity, not just an hour- it’s the walk and going to the café.”
Bell said it has been a great place to come.
“It doesn’t feel forced or like there is an obligation to go every week and things like that.”
If Bell misses a week, she knows she can come any other time and it will be the same inviting space.
Each week Kaye gathers her two small children and they embark on the walk from Collingwood to the gardens, pulling along their trusty trolley full of activities.
Kaye is a former school teacher and brings inspiring stories each week to share with the families. Books such as Poppy and the Blooms by Fiona Woodcock, Between by Anna Walker, Gecko by Raymond Huber and Wild and Free by Carrie Gallasch capture the groups imagination.
Kaye sets up a lively play space. Creative activities and crafts are placed atop rainbow checkered picnic mats. A sheet is hung between two trees and the children wander over to pick a colour and create an artwork on a hanging canvas.
“I do really love finding new ways for kids to get excited or interested about creating or making art at all ages.”
“Being outside as well has a lot of power, it is really good for everyone I think to be outside, especially for kids. You come out amongst the green and the rest of my day is just lighter and brighter.”
Roni feels the same way as Kaye. The two met at their first playgroup Every Little Season, which was also nature focused.
“It’s just so nice to be outside. We’ve got idyllic weather today as well which is really selling it but we love to be outside in all weather, my boys and I. It is just really calm and peaceful isn’t it. It instantly improves everyone’s mood and you don’t really need a lot of stuff like toys and things, you can just be outside. His favourite toy is always a stick,” laughs Roni.
Kaye and Roni both watch on as their once babies are now growing little boys.
“They just love each other so much, I feel so grateful actually.”
The older kids are leading the way and help the little ones.
“I think that is the magic of having a multi-age playgroup,” said Kaye, “it’s so good because you see all the different ages and how they interact and the older kids become like mentors, it’s so sweet. It’s so sweet when that happens.”
Jos feels the same way, having a two and four-year-old. Today she has her daughter Aria with her and loves how it is screen free and admires the array of activities that are benefiting the childrens development.
“It seems simple but it isn’t something we would come up with by ourselves.”
“There is always something for the kids and actually being in the gardens is amazing.”
“It’s amazing. It takes us about 25 minutes to get here but it is so worth it.”
Isla is a nanny and loves being part of the playgroup. She has been looking after Ollie for 10 months, getting to know him and enjoying the way he grows as they play.
“I really get to know them well. It’s very rewarding being a big part of their life.”
“I love all the activities. Kaye always puts a lot of thought into them. Ollie loves coming.”
This playgroup began as part of Playgroup Victoria’s Great Start program, supporting new playgroups with resources, funding and mentoring.
“I have had fantastic opportunities for professional learning,” said Kaye.
“The grant was amazing because it got us started with a whole lot of resources as well. It’s such an awesome program. I am very, very grateful to Playgroup Victoria for all the support. Even just knowing that if I called Liz [the playgroup officer], or sent her an email, she would help me with whatever it was that I needed help with. She’s been incredible, I am very grateful.”
James is here on this morning, Kaye’s husband, chasing their toddler Ted. He doesn’t often get to come along to the playgroup but knows all the hard work and thought that goes into planning the playgroup, especially of an evening.
“She’s superwoman,” said James, describing her preparation each week.
“I think it’s really nice that Kaye can put something on like this that’s free for people to come to and enjoy and revel in, in such a beautiful setting too.”
Nobody is in a hurry to leave as two hours pass but the pack-up slowly begins.
Some families head over to the café to have a coffee together. Some kids race off in a bid to continue their play. Kaye’s mum gives her a hug goodbye.
“I am very proud of her,” she says.
And you can see that Kaye is, too. Becoming a mother has been an evolution and today she looks around with gratitude and appreciation, having done the hard yards and come out the other side, with solid friendships and support.
“There is a term for it, matrescence, coming into being a mother and that is a really life altering experience. It is so good to not be by yourself, so good to have community and it’s so good to remember that there are all these people that are just next door you know, just behind a closed door or walking past you with a pram that are going through very similar things.”
“The more we talk and share space together, the better it is for us and then also for our kids as well- I mean what a joy, look how much fun they are having!”
Follow along and join the adventures with Little Fitzroy Friends
Article by Sinead Halliday
Photography by Jenny Aguirre and Sinead Halliday