Parks Week – Open spaces create a healthier world

Research has shown that time spent in open spaces influence positive wellbeing, and for residents of Southern Downs, there are plenty of options!

Parks play a vital role in creating liveable cities and thriving communities and during Parks Week from 6 – 14 March, Council joins hundreds of organisations across Australia in celebrating the joy parks bring to our lives.

With its rural lifestyle and great open spaces, Southern Downs offers many parks and reserves for public use. There are many rest and picnic areas with beautiful scenery of well-maintained gardens, river walks and BBQ areas.

Southern Downs Regional Council currently maintains about 160 parks and reserves across the region, with many parks fitted with state of the art, Australian standards compliant equipment for better and safer playgrounds. These play stations have child friendly designs that appeal to all ages with some also offering disability friendly equipment.

SDRC Staff members Dean Ballinger and Emily McNalty tidying gardens around the Warwick Art Gallery and Council Administration Buildings

As well as playground equipment, some parks double as outdoor gyms with fitness equipment that is enjoyed by many who want to keep fit and Council is continually reviewing opportunities to improve open spaces for the community.

Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said that although mowing the lawns have taken front and centre stage over the past few weeks with the welcome rains allowing a lot of new growth, the role of our Parks and Gardens team extend far past that.

“Parks, lawns, and nature strips are certainly soaking up the recent rain, and the grass is growing in unprecedented fashion, and what a great problem to have. It was only twelve months ago that we were praying to see the brown disappear,” Mayor Pennisi said

“The unprecedented growth has resulted in the perfect storm for our Parks and Gardens team who are also tasked with servicing public amenities, maintaining playgrounds, clearing debris from our streets and ensuring our flowerbeds, trees and lawns survive the drought.

“Southern Downs is a great place to live, work, rest and play and we are committed to providing our community with green spaces you can be proud of. I thank you for your ongoing support of the excellent work our Parks and Gardens team do.”

Did you know that you can book a park for your event?  Council’s parks are primarily provided for the enjoyment of the whole community, but if you are planning a large gathering or event, you may be required to obtain a permit to conduct your event.  You can apply for a permit for your event by calling 1300 697 372 or visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/our-region/parks-and-open-spaces

SDRC Parks Supervisor Mick Mahoney ready to plant Acer x freemanni Scarlet Sentinel maples for streetscaping in Wallangarra