New trend takes over Aussie beaches
Aussies have discovered an “awesome” and “clever” new trend taking over beaches across the country.
Aussies have discovered an “awesome” and “clever” new trend taking over beaches across the country.
If you’re a fan of street libraries where locals can swap, donate and borrow used books from shelves on residential streets, then you’re certainly going to love this beachside trend.
“Toy libraries” have begun popping up along Australia’s coastline, proving particularly popular for families who forget to bring buckets, shovels and spades for their little ones.
South Australian MP Stephen Mullighan shared a snap of two popular beaches embracing the trend — Henley Beach, which is located 15 minutes from the city, and Semaphore Beach, in the northwestern seaside suburb about 14km from Adelaide.
“Have you spotted these community beach toy libraries popping up along the coast? Take a toy down to the shore for the little ones to play with, and then return it to the library upon leaving,” he wrote, as he praised the idea.
“What an excellent community initiative”.
Mr Mullighan’s post has been ‘liked’ almost 3000 times with hundreds of people flooding the comments section gushing over the idea and sharing their own photos.
“I love this! I hope to see more of these!!” one person wrote.
“This is awesome,” said another.
“This is the one we made for our local beach️. They are great, it gets so much use,” one woman wrote, alongside a snap of the toy library.
Another shared a pic of one from Largs Bay located on the Lefevre Peninsula.
“There was a dog toy box at Largs too with tennis balls,” one person added.
A local said she hopes the initiative will “inspire others to use and return responsibly”.
She also she hopes it will “help to foster respect for our wonderful recreational spaces that we have in our state”.
But it’s not just in South Australia that locals have spotted toy libraries. Social media have been sharing snaps of beach libraries in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, as others write to their local council urging them to join the club.
“I wrote to the City of Holdfast in December 2022 about a similar concept for Glenelg (inspired by the ‘borrow box’ at my local beach on the Sunshine Coast) and believe they are implementing this year,” one excited local said.
Another added: “One was built here in WA Preston Beach about two years ago .. been popular.”
Mel Lake, the General Manager of Street Library Australia, told Yahoo News Australia she’s not surprised the idea is taking off among Aussies.
“There’s a few examples that kind of started with books and then they just grow into something else a bit wild and a bit crazy where people are giving away food, clothes, toys, or plants,” she told the publication.
“I guess they test the water with books and then it’s really only limited to people’s imagination.”
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