Saturday 4 March to Sunday 12 March is Parks Week 2023, the perfect opportunity to hang out with friends and family while exploring some of New England’s best outdoor spaces.
An initiative of Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA), Parks Week is all about celebrating the vital role parks play in creating liveable cities and thriving communities.
PLA is a national peak body that provides a range of services and opportunities to strengthen Australian communities through good use of leisure time for the social, environmental, economic, and physical well-being of all. The organisation’s vision is for Australia to be renowned for its parks, outdoor spaces, and sports and recreation facilities. PLA believes these resources are the foundation on which healthy communities and liveable towns and cities are built.
During the week, events hosted by organisations and communities throughout the country highlight different opportunities for locals to celebrate, experience, and enjoy their parks.
Parks Week 2023 focuses on how spending time in our parks and open spaces positively influences our well-being. In the New England area, local parks are, of course, an important part of community life. They offer a place for residents, travellers, and visitors to come together and provide a flexible venue for community events such as farmers’ and growers’ markets.
Armidale Farmers Market committee member, Jo Leoni, sees Curtis Park as an ideal space for Armidale’s community to gather. The Armidale Farmers Market has been held there fortnightly for many years.
“It’s the perfect venue for community events such as the Farmers Market due to its position, centrality, visibility, and ease of access,” Jo says. “The Park has a beautiful atmosphere that comes alive during markets and other community events.”
Curtis Park is also Armidale’s host for the annual Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday March 5. In 2023, the event will begin near the playgrounds and move along the adjacent creeklands. A BBQ will be held afterwards for participants.
For regional and agricultural areas like Armidale, Tamworth, and Walcha, local markets offer the perfect place for growers to sell homegrown produce and build connections with surrounding communities.
Armidale’s Civic Park will host Culture Fest 2023 on 10 March, showcasing New England’s rich diversity of cultures through food, music, and dance.
‘Walk n Talk for Life’ will take place on 12 March at Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park. Walk For Life Tamworth is a community walking group that meets monthly in the park and provides a safe space for struggling individuals to reach out for support.
These events are just some examples of the many ways in which parks are enjoyed and utilised by thousands of people every day, right around the country.
Visit www.parks-week.org/ to organise an event of your own to celebrate Parks Week 2023. Various promotional posters, logos, and online resources are also available here, as well as information on other Parks Week festivities being hosted Australia-wide.
Be sure to spread awareness of your event on social media using the hashtag #Parksweek2023.
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