Forest School SA has secured a new home in Balhannah after being ordered to cease activities at its former site in Mount Barker earlier this month.
It follows Mount Barker District Council directing facilitators for the nature-based education program to stop operating at Anembo Park after a site inspection raised concerns about safety, structures, fire pits, cleared vegetation and activities extending onto adjoining land.
Forest School SA says its new location will provide a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, including an indoor area and kitchen for cooking, handwork and wet-weather activities.
There are also toilets, a sheltered outdoor fireplace and plenty of outdoor space, while the site is next to Grasby Reserve.
“After a rather eventful few weeks, it feels very good to have somewhere we can settle into and begin finding our rhythm again,” Forest School SA said in an update.
The program says the new location will provide some much-needed stability for children and families.
“Most importantly, it gives our children and families somewhere familiar to return to each week, and a place where our little Forest School community can continue to grow,” the school said.
The program had been operating from Anembo Park for about a year before council directed it to cease activities.
At the time, council said it supported nature-based learning but had concerns about the way the operation had expanded at the site and wanted a compliant and safe pathway forward.
Forest School SA says it is now looking forward to settling into its new Balhannah location for Terms 3 and 4, with hopes of continuing there beyond the end of the year.
