History

BillyBird Drakenrijk began construction of the indoor playground in early March 2025. This marks an important step in the BillyBird concept, which also includes indoor play. BillyBird is a chain of amusement parks where nature and recreation blend seamlessly. BillyBird aims to extend the successful concept of BillyBird Hemelrijk in Volkel (Brabant) to BillyBird Drakenrijk in Beesel (Limburg). This means visitors can stay active and have fun in any weather. Guests can enjoy the beach in warm weather, play on the outdoor attractions in good weather, and play indoors in bad weather.

At Billy Bird Park Drakenrijk in Reuver, work is underway on a floating solar panel farm. The panels will generate enough power to supply approximately 2,600 households. The solar farm will be built on one of the park's lakes. A total of 12,896 panels will be installed on the water.

The largest Speelkasteel in the Netherlands has opened at BillyBird Drakenrijk. The Speelkasteel is 15 meters high and features slides and climbing nets. There's even a slide that goes down 12 meters. The Speelkasteel was manufactured by AmusementProf. Atop the castle sits a life-size dragon created by Venlo native and designer Joop van den Heuvel. The municipality of Beesel is known as the Dragon Village. The tradition of "Draaksteken" (dragon-stitching) has taken place here for approximately 300 years. Every seven years, Beesel celebrates this ancient legend. This year, the dragon is a reference to the municipality of Beesel. The Speelkasteel 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 document the entire construction process. With lighting and smoke effects, BillyBird creates a fully themed play structure, and of course, that includes music. For the first time, BillyBird is collaborating with music producer EVRST MUSIC. The soundtrack will bring the medieval theme to life and complete the whole experience.

BillyBird Hemelrijk opens the 11-meter-high SaltoSwing swing. The SaltoSwing is part of the Ruig play area, which opened last year. Walking makes the barrel spin, allowing you to control your speed. The SaltoSwing is designed for children aged 8 and up. The swing was developed by AmusementProf, the design and construction company of BillyBird brothers Paul and Herman Derks.

2020 is the year of the coronavirus pandemic and challenges, but also the year BillyBird looks ahead to the future and grows. For example, BillyBird Hemelrijk is opening the largest AquaFunPark in the Netherlands, and BillyBird Drakenrijk is getting its first major attraction with a slightly smaller version. In addition, Hemelrijk is opening a brand new play area, Ruig! (Rough!), and BillyBird Swimming Pool Het Run is getting a new food and beverage outlet, the Broodjeshoek (Bread Corner), with healthy, freshly made sandwiches. BillyBird has announced that it is already working on plans for a new recreation park in Drunen, BillyBird Park Duinenrijk.

BillyBird is expanding its operations to a brand new location in Drunen. In May, the former Het Run open-air swimming pool will be operated by BillyBird and renamed BillyBird Het Run Swimming Pool. Come and enjoy a day of splashing and swimming with the whole family. Take a dip in the 50-meter competition pool or splash around in the recreational pool. This pool features a fantastic water playground and a spectacular slide. For the littlest ones, we have a well-organized toddler pool where they can play to their heart's content.

In 2018, BillyBird Hemelrijk will open a themed attraction, the Ballenfabriek, designed by AmusementProf, and the red carpet will be extended to Kinderland.

A new beach promenade is being constructed, a red carpet that starts at the park reception and extends to the Zeeroversland indoor playground. This construction has created a larger lawn with some shade. Several sun terraces are also being built along the red carpet, where you can enjoy the sun and a snack and drink on a beach bed or lounge sofa.

On May 29, 2014, the Piratenkooi opened in the Zeeroversland indoor playground. A gigantic play paradise with a bouncy castle, slides, climbing frames, colorful building blocks, and a renovated play area for the littlest ones.

The outdoor playground will be twice as large, fenced off, and will be called "Kinderland" from now on. Two new air trampolines and two new bouncy castles will be added, and no fewer than fifty BBQs will be installed 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!"

New: a super-fast family roller coaster. An absolute highlight for BillyBird Hemelrijk. The coaster is energy-neutral, powered by solar energy.

In 2002, Recreation Park Hemelrijk received a full-fledged parking lot and opened the park's first major attraction: the Splash boat slide!

In 1995, a second indoor playground, Zeeroversland, was built. While the current indoor playground, Zeeroversland, is now filled with all kinds of play equipment for children up to 12 years old, the playground at the time consisted essentially of nothing more than a large, covered slide.

Gerrie and Ton moved to the recreational lake and bought a total of 50 hectares of land around it. In 1991, they built the coffee shop: a new restaurant pavilion with restrooms, which even passersby could use without a ticket. The coffee shop building later served as both a reception and a restaurant sales point.