IT was the place where children's stories came to life, where the imagination could be set free and laughter echoed through the treetops as the young and young at heart walked in the shoes of storytime's lead characters.
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The tale of Fantasy Glades has a history dating back to 1968 and the final chapter is yet to be written as the property off Parklands Close in Port Macquarie is listed on the real estate market once again.
The dream to return the theme park to its former glory has been shattered for current owners Shane and Karen Hay who have made the decision to put the immediate health and care of their elderly parents first.
The couple are devastated they will be unable to inject what they had envisioned would be a 21st century spin on the classic tales that had made the park famous and a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.
"Unfortunately our parents got old and things change. Both sides of our family need our support right now and we've made a decision to put our dreams on hold," Mr Hay told the Port News yesterday. He is indebted to local residents Shannon and Kylie McLaren who have given their time as caretakers of the park and report intrusions by squatters and vandals.
"My wife always wanted a castle or a church to do up and I was able to buy her both. We've had a lot of community support - we have also unfortunately had people accusing us of conning them.
"We love Port Macquarie and we would come back if we could. We are more than happy to talk to anyone interested in the park and make something happen for the good of the community."
The next instalment of the Fantasy Glades story could very well be written by the Port Macquarie Koala Society. The Society, which manages the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, wants to acquire the property, currently listed with Port City Realty for $750,000, and restore the swathe of bushland as a koala sanctuary.
The Society is a voluntary organisation without government support and all funds raised by the community are injected back into the now world-acclaimed hospital which cares for sick and injured koalas.
Society spokesman Bob Sharpham said purchasing the property will require the support of an investor, or for the community to rally behind them and help raise the extra funds needed to seal the deal.
"We would use the site to plant koala food trees and restore it to its natural habitat," Mr Sharpham said. The Hastings koala population is currently estimated to be tipping 4000 which is unusually high for a highly developed urban area. While the koala population is flourishing, the expanding urban landscape has impacted on their food source.
"It is a big problem for us. Every day our volunteers go out and collect food leaf from street trees. But we need to be careful to ensure we are not over-harvesting and damaging these trees."
The Society is also looking at a 250 acre property near Blackman's Point which is already heavily stocked with the right food trees, but Mr Sharpham said the Parklands Reserve property ideally also provides a sanctuary for koalas in town to live and breed.
"We can't do it on our own though," he said.
Port City Realty principal Tom James said there has been some interest in the site since its listing on the market in November. One overseas investor is considering the property for development.
"If the local community rallied behind it though we could keep it local and use it for something good," Mr James said.
"I am confident we will sell it for them. It could very well go to someone who wants to use it to build a family home."
Anyone wanting to support the Koala Society's bid for the property can contact Bob Sharpham by email at president@koalahospital.org.au or by phone on 0411 757 879.