Your Place. Your space. The relationship between individuals, communities, and place is intimate, dynamic and powerful.

Not only is spending time in nature a great way to boost your health and wellbeing - it's also a great opportunity to meet other people in your local community, and the best thing is, it's free!

Find yourself a breathing place and reap all the benefits that nature provides. Whether it be in a park, a community garden, or a corner in your own backyard, taking time out for a 'green breath' is a great way to escape the stress of a busy life.

Hang from the monkey bars in your local park or weave your way along a walking track in one of our national parks, either way you'll feel terrific!

Have something you think is relevant or wish to contribute an idea or submit information regarding a park event?  Contact us at info@peopleandparks.org

  World Parks Day - Saturday 18th September 2010

The third World Parks Day will take place this year on Saturday 18 September 2010.

World Parks Day is an opportunity to celebrate our parks and green spaces. The day is organised by Parks for Life, an international initiative created by the International Parks and Green Space Alliance (IUPGSA) to:

• Communicate the critical importance of parks in a global context
• Promote best practice by learning  from other parks services, and
•  Encourage people to enjoy their local park and appreciate the importance of green space .

Watch this space for news on what People & Parks will be doing….we’ll be calling on you to come help us celebrate World Parks Day with all of our friends in a park near you.

Visit http://www.worldparksday.com/ for more information

People & Parks Foundation are the first charity partner aligned with this global initiative.

Inaugural International Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress 2010

Congratulations to Mark Stone and his staff at Parks Victoria for the outstanding success of the inaugural Healthy Parks, Healthy People Congress!  The drawing together of park, health, medical, sport and outdoor professionals and practitioners focused attention on key health debate issues. They reinforced the need to find alternative and proactive solutions to problems that are costing billions across the planet due to poor health, rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and restoration of habitat destruction.

As keynote speaker, Janet Holmes a Court reinforced our message that in order to get children to be the future stewards of our planet, we need to first get them to love nature.  This simple statement not only touches on the importance of hands-on environmental education, both structured and exploratory, but the need to have young people active and engaged in the outdoors.  Keynote speaker Richard Louv also drew on this theme with childhood memories of outdoor games and special places, integral to environmental ownership and an active outdoor mindset.

People & Parks Foundation were delighted to have hosted Steve Coleman of Washington Parks and People to be a keynote speaker at the congress with support from The Ian Potter Foundation.  Steve talked strongly about the importance of rebuilding a sense of community by reverting to the philosophy of making parks the centre of community life.  Steve’s work in urban park rehabilitation has changed the way his city uses park space. 

As Chairman of the international Parks for Life movement, Steve was urging delegates to take action and reclaim our parks.  To be involved in the 2010 Parks for Life World Parks Day, go to www.worldparksday.com

When People & Parks Trustee Sally Capp tapped on the shoulders of John Ziegler; President and CEO of DDB in the Asia Pacific region and Nick Condon; Managing Director DDB Australia to ask for some ideas to assist us to promote our great work and expand – did DDB respond? They haven’t stopped helping and have combined the collective brains of the agency and Sarah Bailey to develop some concepts with endless opportunities. “We’ve really enjoyed our experience working with the People & Parks team and broader stakeholders.  The charter of the organisation is something we at DDB Group all feel very passionate about,” says Condon.  “It’s wonderful to contribute to the future direction of the foundation; through the brand and communications initiatives we’re developing, to support the People & Parks strategic objectives”.

Thanks DDB for your energy and ongoing commitment to assisting People & Parks! Watch this space!

With more than 200 offices in over 90 countries, DDB is the leading consolidated marketing communications network, providing clients with creative business solutions to serve their business objectives and meet the challenges of today’s dynamic marketing to build influential brands.

Visit DDB at www.ddb.com.au/