The Castle Takeover: How Macarthur’s Parkour Community Kept Moving (Even When the Council Didn’t)
On Saturday, July 20th, 2025, something small but mighty happened in Campbelltown. Despite council regulations forcing a last-minute location change, no paid ads, and a winter chill in the air, we still ran our monthly Macarthur Parkour Community Event — and it turned out to be one of the most rewarding yet.
We pivoted fast. We showed up. And the community showed up right alongside us.
This is what community building looks like in real-time. No fluff, no fanfare. Just 15 people, a sunny winter’s day, and a park we affectionately call “The Castle.”
Spoiler: It wasn’t about the numbers. It was about the momentum.
And here’s how it went down.
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Behind the Scenes at Robinson Park (aka “The Castle”)
First, the curveball.
Our original venue, Oran Park, had to shut down last minute. Council inspections on the parkour equipment forced a closure we couldn’t control. But that’s events. That’s life. So, we shifted. Fast. Robinson Park, Campbelltown, became our new arena.
Fun fact: We call this spot The Castle because… well, look at it. It feels like you’re moving through old stone battlements.
The last time we trained here, it rained. This time? Blue skies and winter sun. Perfect.
Who Showed Up (And Why It Matters)
Here’s the coolest part:
We did zero Facebook ads. Zero promotion. This wasn’t a commercial activation. It was raw community. Yet we still had 15 people show up — purely because they love what we’re building. Parents brought friends. Kids dragged siblings. Familiar faces mixed with new ones.
This is how you know you’re doing something right.
You don’t always need algorithms to bring people together. Sometimes, you just need consistency and heart.
How The Day Played Out:
🕐 1:00 PM – Check-in & Free Play:
Wristbands on. Smiles out. Kids explored the space and warmed up at their own pace.
🕜 1:30 PM – Warm-Up Games:
“The Floor is Lava” made its glorious return, alongside mobility drills and icebreakers.
🕝 2:30 PM – Speed Course Workshop:
We broke down our course into segments. Kids rotated through stations, learning each part in digestible chunks. From wall climbs to precision jumps, they built their toolkit piece-by-piece.
🕞 2:45 PM – Build Your Line:
We gave the kids 15 minutes to stitch it all together. Some rested (smart move), others experimented. Either way, they owned their progress.
🕒 3:00 PM – Speed Run Competition:
With a smaller group, we ran two attempts each. 30-45 seconds per run. Clean, focused, electric. Cheering squads formed. Parents got loud. Every finish line moment felt earned.
🕞 3:30 PM – Podium & Prizes:
Top three times earned prizes and bragging rights. Group photos wrapped it up, and free play carried us through until 4 PM.
Want to see the moments for yourself? Check the photo album here
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What We Learned (And What You Can Steal)
Even small community events operate like live prototypes. Here’s the entrepreneurial breakdown:
What Worked:
✅ Community Over Ads: Zero marketing spend; 100% attendance through existing relationships. Proof of concept? Yes.
✅ Higher Skill Level Boosts Energy: With more experienced kids attending, we leveled up the challenges. It kept them engaged and pushed progression.
✅ Flexible Format Wins: Our modular structure (warm-ups, stations, build-your-own-line) lets us adapt fast to group size and energy.
✅ Cheer Culture Matters: The cheering? The camaraderie? That’s brand equity in action. It’s why parents stay and kids come back.
What We’d Improve:
❌ Communication Buffer: Last-minute location changes are tough. Next time, more proactive email/SMS blasts alongside social posts.
❌ Parental Involvement: We’re still chasing our vision of parents playing too. Need clearer invites for them to participate or volunteer.
❌ Opt-In for Growth: Even casual events benefit from lightweight email collection on-site. Build the list. Grow the movement.
Enjoying the entrepreneurial breakdown? Connect with me on LinkedIn here
Why This Was More Than Just Another Park Day
These monthly sessions aren’t flashy. They’re not big-ticket. But they’re building something real. A local culture of movement. A community that shows up, rain or shine. A place where kids meet, move, and cheer each other on.
And when parents bring extra kids just because it’s fun? That’s how parkour spreads. Not through hype. Through connection.
We’re not here to go viral.
We’re here to go deep in our community.
Want to join the next one? Follow our Facebook page here to stay in the loop.
Running Your Own Parkour Community? Let’s Talk.
If you’re a coach, a parkour leader, or just someone dreaming of starting your own grassroots scene — I’d love to chat. Whether it’s growing your numbers, running events, or building revenue streams that give back, I can help you get there.
Send me a message. Tell me you want to build something. Let’s make it happen.
Get in touch with KongQuest here
