A donation by a Highfields resident, Stan Kuhl, has given the community a park that is a lot more than a park. It has a magic playground for the young at heart, green space, family areas, space for entertainment and an arboretum of Australian flora that will keep the dendrophile entertains for hours.

Address: 56 Kuhls Rd, Highfields QLD 4352

Friends of Peacehaven Botanical Park and the community nursery can be contacted on 4630 8667.

Peacehaven is loved enough that it has its own website here. There is very little I can say that isn’t better expressed on peacehavenpark.org.au and at the Toowoomba Regional website. I will restrict my contribution to the video below and a 360 version if you want an immersive experience.

Transcription

Overview (0:00)

In 2004, local farmer Stan Kuhl donated 4.7 hectares and a considerable cash donation to the community for a botanic parkland. The park’s design was born from Stan’s desire to promote global peace. Where his house stood is a monument to peace in the form of a compass. Toowoomba Regional Council works with the Friends of Peacehaven Botanic Park volunteers on park maintenance and expansion.

Trees with Character (0:36)

I love trees with character. These monsters have been here for a long time and make perfect guardians to the park.

Nursery (0:47)

The Friends of Peacehaven run the nursery. Any profits go to improvements in the park. The volunteers are very passionate about the native plants they raise.

Car Park (1:16)

The car park is never empty. I have regularly seen the streets filled with overflow. It is an understatement to call it a popular destination.

Skeleton (2:15)

It might be a bit tasteless to call this a skeleton of Stan Kuhl. Perhaps we should leave it as a work of art – and a good representation of the philanthropist farmer in life and memory.

Peace on Earth (3:14)

I think that this is where Stans house stood, although it could have been where the nursery is. It would be appropriate if it were here at a monument to peace. While not easy to see from ground level, it is a compass with a “Peace on Earth” post in the centre.

Children of Nature (4:39)

This part of the forest appears to dedicate itself to bringing children closer to nature. All paths lead to the BBQ and playground area. Among the trees are rock carvings and models of animals you would see in Australia. Welcome to the ant path. Turn left to be among the frogs.

Playground (5:48)

Whoever designed the playground understood the imaginations of young children. There is a water pump, sluice gate and water runoff. There are dinosaur bones buried in the sand. But, there has to be a slide.

View West (7:55)

This video does not do justice to the spectacular view west to Gowrie Junction and the Bunya Mountains.

The Lake (8:48)

They call this a lake – well, I guess it is a little large for a pond. It has its share of avian life – probably feeding elsewhere on the grounds at the moment. The lake does make an excellent backdrop for musical events. You can see the power set beyond the jetty.

Botanicals (9:41)

Ahead you can see the bulk of the 400 odd species of native flora – all labelled. A walk through this section by those interested in Australiana will give hours of pleasure.

The Rotunda (10:10)

In the distance, you can see the rotunda. It would be a special place for a wedding. During the week, you will often see people gather under its shade for a good old chin-wag.