Connecting People with Parks

Nest, an ephemeral sculpture project held at Wallaby Springs Reserve, Kinglake West, during February and March, 2012 and is a community engagement element of the Green Connections Community Project Initiative, funded by Victorian Bushfire Appeals Fund. Nest engages art therapy practice as a vehicle to reconnect children affected by the 2009 ‘Black Saturday‘ Victorian bush fires, with their local natural environment and to assist in improving their physical, mental and social health and well-being.

An exciting nature playscape for children and families will be built in the main visitor area of Brimbank Park, in Melbourne’s inner west, in 2013.

The unique design is inspired by the natural and cultural heritage of the park. It will become a great meeting place, welcoming people of all abilities.

Geelong’s Active in Parks, a Healthy Parks Healthy People program, was launched on 19 September by the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, the Hon Nick Wakeling MP. This pilot program aims to connect our community to parks and open spaces as a means of enhancing their physical and mental health.

This program will work with doctors and community groups to encourage park visits in the Geelong region which is blessed with a multitude of beautiful parks, trails, beaches and rivers.

•  A program of activities and events occurring in the great outdoors will also be available to the whole community and details can be found at www.activeinparks.org.
• Active in Parks has specifically targeted programs for individuals and groups, who may need extra support and help to get out into a park – for example, people with chronic disease, people at risk of developing diabetes, young mothers, migrants and at-risk youth.

Green Connections is a community project initiative, funded through the Victorian Bushfire Appeals Fund. People and Parks Foundation, a not for profit charitable organisation, working in collaboration with the community, to connect people with nature.

Currently Green Connections have four community nominated projects in the Kinglake and Marysville areas affected by the 2009 Black Saturday fires.

The Green Connections project includes a range of activities and events to link community groups, business and school groups to environmental projects.

Green Connections are looking for volunteers to help make a difference in fire affected areas through participating in hands on environmental activities as part of these projects.

You can get involved in a range of activities including guided walks, planting days and learning how to build a trail.