History
1986
From dream to reality
Recreation Lake Hemelrijk
Ton and Gerrie start the beach 'Recreatieplas Hemelrijk'. At BillyBird, recreation and nature have gone together from the start. This resulted in the construction of the first artificial bank martin wall in the Netherlands that same year.
1990
Expansion of the area
Catering pavilion with toilets
Gerrie and Ton will live near the recreational lake and buy a total of 50 hectares of land around the recreational lake. In 1991 they built the coffee shop: a new catering pavilion with toilets, where passers-by could also go without an entrance ticket. The coffee shop building later served as a reception and catering sales point.
1993
The first playground is a fact
Opening of the traffic playground
On July 11, 1993, Hemelrijk recreational lake expanded the traffic playground with an outdoor playground and in the same year the construction of the Children's Fair started. Recreational lake Hemelrijk wants to develop into a Family Entertainment Center at that time, but encounters zoning plan-related problems. In order to still offer indoor fun, a bouncy castle, a merry-go-round, a ball pit and some fun wheels were placed in an old chicken barn. A great success.
1995
Expansion with second playground
Zeeroversland is built
A second indoor playground, Zeeroversland, is built in 1995. While the current Zeeroversland indoor playground is now full of all kinds of play equipment for children up to 12 years old, the playground actually consisted of no more than a large covered slide.
2000
Affordable for everyone
Open in any weather
In the year 2000, Hemelrijk opened several large playground equipment, which could hardly be called a new attraction. Bungee trampolines will be installed and construction will start on the Outback Survival: a self-designed ropes course that is unique in Europe. Everyone is enthusiastic and with the arrival of this big crowd puller, Hemelrijk continues to build. It will be a park that is affordable for everyone and provides entertainment every day, regardless of the weather.
2002
A full-fledged car park plus a real attraction
The first major attraction opens
In 2002, Recreation Park Hemelrijk was given a full-fledged parking lot and the park's first major attraction opened: the Splash boat slide!
2004
Build Hemelaya and new name BillyBird
Climb Hemelaya climbing mountain
The major landmark of Hemelrijk. The Hemelaya is a 15 meter high climbing mountain. You can climb to the top via various routes to enjoy a breathtaking view of the park. There is also an easy route to the top to have fun together with parents and grandparents. There are 3 slides hidden in the rock that will take you back down.
Hemelrijk gets a new name. Hemelrijk Recreational Park will be renamed BillyBird Hemelrijk.
2009
A new favorite is being built
BillyBird Hemelrijk opens family roller coaster
New: a super fast family roller coaster. An absolute highlight for BillyBird Hemelrijk. The roller coaster is an energy-neutral roller coaster. The roller coaster is powered by using solar energy.
2011
Feest!
BillyBird Hemelrijk celebrates its 25th anniversary
BillyBird Hemelrijk exists 25 years! This will be celebrated extensively with, among other things, the publication of a brand new BillyBird picture book: 'The Treasure of Hemelrijk'. A special BillyBird anniversary newspaper will also be distributed door to door in Oss, Uden and Veghel at the end of April. During Strange Bird Week, a reunion for employees and a special anniversary weekend, employees and guests will once again celebrate the 25th anniversary.
2012
Expansion of playing areas
BillyBird Hemelrijk expands outdoor play areas
The outdoor playground will be no less than twice as large, fenced and will now be called 'Kinderland'. There will be two new air trampolines and two new bouncy castles and no fewer than fifty BBQs will be placed in Kinderland. The BBQs and the 3-meter high air trampoline are unique in the Netherlands. This year BillyBird is also introducing the new slogan 'Happy Together!'.
2013
Opening of second BillyBird location
BillyBird Drakenrijk opens as a second location
On May 25, 2013, BillyBird Drakenrijk in Beesel (Limburg) will open its gates to the public. From then on, bathers, sun worshipers and playing children can visit the site from May to August. The intention is for the current beach pool to eventually grow into a full-fledged BillyBird Park. This means that there will be at least one more indoor playground and various outdoor attractions.
2014
Zeeroversland indoor playground is being renovated
The Pirate Cage is opened
The Pirate Cage in the Zeeroversland indoor playground was opened on May 29, 2014. A gigantic play paradise with a bouncy castle, slides, climbing elements, colorful building blocks and a renovated toddler quay for the little ones.
2015
The Children's Fair will have more hiding places
Renovation of the Children's Fair and Catering
During the winter and spring of 2015, the Children's Fair was partly demolished, because this somewhat outdated play location needed to be replaced. A number of trusses from the former Children's Fair have remained standing. These now ensure that there are two very nice roofs. One shelter covers the bumper cars and some other attractions. The other shelter can be used for different purposes. Guests can enjoy a picnic here, but the entertainment team can also give performances during additional activities.
The catering building at Zeeroversland is also being renovated. The dated old brown has made way for fresh colors. The catering products have also been slightly adjusted and improved.
2016
Red carpet is a fact
BillyBird Hemelrijk is developing a beach boulevard
A new beach boulevard is being constructed, a red carpet that starts at the reception of the park and continues to the Zeeroversland indoor playground. The construction of this has created a more spacious sunbathing lawn with some shaded areas. Various sun terraces are also being created on the red carpet. Here you can enjoy the sun and a snack and drink on a beach bed or lounge sofa.
2017
New playground equipment
The Play Circus is opened
BillyBird Hemelrijk opens another self-designed attraction: the Play Circus. In this attraction, children and parents can have fun together like real circus artists. In addition, the boulevard, which was constructed a year earlier, will be extended to the roller coaster.
2018
Amusementprof develops themed attraction
New! The Ballenfabriek
In 2018, a themed attraction designed by AmusementProf will open at BillyBird Hemelrijk, the Ballenfabriek and the red carpet will be extended to Kinderland.
2019
Many expansions at both parks
The Oervallei at Hemelrijk and outdoor playground Drakenrijk
The Oervallei nature playground at BillyBird Hemelrijk will be opened in 2019. Children can swing on a mega swing, slide down an 11-meter-high slide, pan for gold and look for the bones of the dinosaurs. The beach boulevard will be extended to the Splash boat slide and to the Oervallei, so that the entire park no longer has unpaved paths.
BillyBird Drakenrijk is also expanding this year. While the park previously only had a beach pool, an outdoor playground has now also opened here. In this outdoor playground you will discover life-size dragons and ride a mega-long cable car. Climb the lookout tower or look for gold.
May 2019
Opening third BillyBird location
Opening BillyBird Open-air swimming pool Het Run
BillyBird will have a whole new location in Drunen. In May, the former Het Run Open Air Swimming Pool will be operated by BillyBird and renamed BillyBird Het Run Open Air Swimming Pool.
Come with the whole family for a day of splashing and swimming. Take a dip in the 50-metre long competition pool or splash in the recreational pool. This pool has a fantastic water playground and a spectacular slide. For the little ones we have a well-arranged paddling pool where they can enjoy playing.
June 2019
The Dragon Kingdom playground gets a balloon monorail
View Dragon Kingdom from above
A monorail is being added to the playground of BillyBird Park Dragon Kingdom. The monorail will be named 'Balloon Flight'. Balloon flight is the first real attraction in BillyBird Park Dragon Kingdom.
2020
A year full of surprises
Largest AquaFunPark in the Netherlands
2020 is the year of corona and challenges, but also the year that BillyBird looks ahead to the future and grows. For example, the largest AquaFun Park in the Netherlands opens at BillyBird Hemelrijk and BillyBird Drakenrijk gets its first major attraction with a slightly smaller version.
Hemelrijk also opens a whole new play area, Ruig! And BillyBird Open Air Swimming Pool Het Run will have a new catering point, the Broodjeshoek with healthy, freshly made sandwiches. BillyBird announces that it is already working on plans for a new recreational park in Drunen, namely BillyBird Park Duinenrijk.
2021
Looking for new locations
BillyBird has been around for 35 years! Party!
BillyBird has been around for 35 years this year in May and is still looking for new locations and possibilities, where nature and recreation can come together and mutual bonds between family and friends can be strengthened. Ideas are always very welcome.
June 2021
New attraction
Opening SaltoSwing
BillyBird Hemelrijk opens the 11 meter high transfer swing SaltoSwing. The SaltoSwing is part of the Ruig playing area, which opened last year. By walking yourself, the barrel starts turning. This way you can decide how fast you go. The SaltoSwing is intended for children from 8 years old.
The swing was developed by Amusementprof, the own design and construction company of BillyBird brothers Paul and Herman Derks.
2022
Have your party
Garden terrace Hemels
New catering location opened in BillyBird Hemelrijk. You can go to Tuinterras Hemels for your ideal company or family party. Enjoy unlimited tasty snacks and drinks all day long. At Garden Terrace Hemels you have a beautiful view of the recreational lake.
2023
Opening of the Riddersheide playing area
Opening of the largest play castle in the Netherlands
The largest play castle in the Netherlands has been opened in BillyBird Drakenrijk. The play castle is 15 meters high and finished with slides and climbing nets. There is even a slide that goes down 12 meters.
The Play Castle was manufactured by Amusementprof. On top of the castle sits a life-size dragon made by Venlo resident and designer Joop van den Heuvel.
The municipality of Beesel is known as the Dragon Village. The Dragon Stitching tradition has been taking place here for about 300 years. Every seven years, Beesel is dedicated to this ancient legend. Dragon stabbing will also take place this year. The dragon is a reference to the municipality of Beesel.
The Play Castle is a real eye-catcher in the park and can even be seen from the highway.
A making of (YouTube series) has been created to map the entire construction process.
With lighting and smoke effects, BillyBird provides a fully themed playground equipment, which of course includes also music. For the first time, BillyBird collaborates with music producer EVRST MUSIC. The soundtrack will bring the Medieval theme to life and make it complete.
May 2023
Bouncenet BillyBird Park Dragon Kingdom
A new playground equipment is being added at BillyBird Drakenrijk. You can jump on this bounce net and lose all your energy.
2023
Step closer to the Netherlands being climate neutral
Floating solar park
A floating solar panel park is being built at Billy Bird Park Drakenrijk in Reuver. The yield from the panels is good for the power supply of approximately 2,600 households. The solar park will be constructed on the water of one of the lakes in the park. A total of 12,896 panels will be placed on the water.
