Sunshine Coast residents are being encouraged to swap the desk for the great outdoors, during Parks Week.
Sunshine Coast Council Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez urged families, locals and visitors to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, planting native trees to improve our natural assets.
Council will host a tree planting event at Springs Drive Park, Little Mountain, on March 13. It will be from 8-11am, with morning tea provided for everyone digging deep.
A similar event was held at Khancoban Park, Buderim, on March 6.
“Each tree planted will help provide food and habitat for our local wildlife and create more shade for park users,” Cr Suarez said.
“It also provides important environmental, social and economic benefits, such as sequestering carbon, producing oxygen, filtering pollutants and cooling our local surrounds.”
Parks Week 2021 focuses on the theme: How spending time in our parks and open spaces positively influences our wellbeing’.
She said it was a great time to explore some of our region’s unique and beautiful parks and gardens.
“From our scenic hinterland to Peregian in the north and Glass House Mountains in the south, we have some outstanding natural parks to explore,” Cr Suarez said.
“This week I encourage you to think about what you love about your local green space and what could be done to better enhance the area.
“We are asking the community to review the Draft Recreation Parks Plan and tell us your thoughts on the future of our region’s parks, by visiting Council’s Have Your Say website.”
Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said a 15-minute walk in a local park could change your mindset and revive energy levels.
“If you’re looking to go the extra mile this Parks Week, why not join Healthy Sunshine Coast as we bring together our local communities to celebrate and share the joy of being in our region’s beautiful outdoor places and spaces. Council’s website has a full program of events,” Cr Law said.
“We know that being active outdoors has great benefits for our mental health and there’s never been a better time and greater need to nurture one’s wellbeing.”
During Parks Week, Healthy Sunshine Coast encourages everyone to Choose to Move with the program’s free classes in some of council’s most beautiful park locations.
Lift your spirits and nurture your wellbeing by joining one of the five free classes this week at Tanawha, Glass House Mountains, Buderim and Caloundra with Healthy Sunshine Coast:
- Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden, Tanawha – Free Yoga in the Contemplation Garden 7.30am on Thursdays and Saturdays.
- Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct, Glass House Mountains – Free Mountain Movement (yoga meditation combo) 7.30am on Tuesdays.
- Buderim Town Park, Buderim – Free Community Yoga on the lawn by the amphitheatre at 4.30pm on Tuesday afternoons.
- Kings Beach Park, Caloundra – Fast, fabulous and free mid-week Zumba in the Park – 5pm Wednesdays.
Parks Week 2021 Community Events
- Tree Planting at Springs Drive Park, Little Mountain – Corner of Springs Drive and Parklands Boulevard, Saturday 13 March, 8-11am.
- Harmony Day in the Botanic Garden at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden, Tanawha, Saturday 20 March, 8.30-11am.
For details about how to participate in these activities and for more information about Parks Week events visit Council’s What’s On website or Healthy Sunshine Coast Special Events.
To review the Draft Recreation Parks Plan and to provide feedback, visit council’s ‘have your say’ website haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au by 5pm Tuesday, 6 April 2021.
