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In the verdant suburb of Rynfield, there lies a magical place where bunnies frolic freely, and childhood memories are eternally etched – welcome to the Rynfield Bunny Park. Built by the Benoni City Council in the year 1966, this dauntless dream turned darling destination was sketched out in the minds and hearts of Mr. T. J. Dubbeld, the Benoni Parks Superintendent, and his able deputy Mr. Jack Hanna.

As chronicled by the part-time photojournalist and Wits student, Peter Wood, in his captivating articles — “A crane that thinks it’s a dog”, which graced the pages of “The Star” on December 8th, 1966, and “Please Feed the Animals”, featured in the “Farmer’s Weekly” on March 13th, 1968—a park was conceived. According to Peter Wood, whose writings and interviews paint the scene, the Bunny Park was envisioned not as a traditional “children’s zoo” where the freedom of animals is restrained by bars, but as a sanctuary where urban children could mingle with domestic and farmyard critters.

Amid the fauna, a trio of Royal Swans, trekked all the way from the town of Bedford, England, added a regal touch. These avian aristocrats, initially quarantined in a double-wall isolation cage, seized the opportunity for a dramatic escape upon their release. Their wings, however, long devoid of the sky’s embrace, could not carry them far, and they were soon back at the park, with a few feathers less for future flights of fancy.

The tale twines further with a touching father-son journey, as Jack Hanna, alongside his 17-year-old progeny, Norman, swung back to school desks to attain matriculation. Their joint venture into education was a success, and the saga continued with Norman Hanna dipping his talents into graphic design and photography, later flourishing as a renowned artisan in his field.

The Bunny Park’s early days were colored by such stories, but the vibrant hues shifted as Jack Hanna left Benoni’s embrace for the verdant vales of the National Botanical Gardens at Kirstenbosch. His tenure at the park, though sealed in time, branched out to a career where his expertise bore fruit until the monumental age of 96.

As the pages turn and years pass, Peter Wood’s narratives, shared with Glynis Cox Millett-Clay on the 18th of November 2015, keep the essence of the Bunny Park alive. This narrative is more than a recount; it’s an ode to a vision that breathed life into an extraordinary corner of Benoni for families and fluffy inhabitants alike.

The Rynfield Bunny Park remains a testament to community, to innovation, and to the simple pleasures that can be found in a serene setting where one can witness the delightfulness of furry creatures and the joy they bring to all ages.

Today, as a beacon of joy and education, the Rynfield Bunny Park invites you to partake in its storied past and contribute to its promising future. Your visit keeps the legacy alive – a legacy masterfully crafted by those like Jack Hanna and immortalized by the words of Peter Wood.

Let us remember to cherish this local treasure and ensure that it continues to be a place of encounter between nature and nurture, where the whisper of the past and the promise of tomorrow meet amid a dance of bunnies in the sunshine.

Glynis Cox Millett-Clay, a custodian of Benoni’s tales, fittingly highlighted the enduring charm of the Bunny Park through a post on the “Benoni Now & Then Facebook Group.” The digital narrative continues to embrace the park’s past and invites modern adventurers to partake in its serene beauty.

The Rynfield Bunny Park’s legends are collectively cherished and have hurdled through the digital space to the “Benoni Now & Then Facebook Group” – a hub where the community gathers to reminisce and celebrate the precious gem in their midst. Through the posts and memories shared by Glynis Cox Millett-Clay and others, the park’s story endures and delights.

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