Brisbane's Parks Promoted as Places for Fun, Visits & Play

Every week, at more than 50 local parks across Brisbane, residents are enjoying mostly free activities, from art to group fitness sessions, as part of Brisbane City Council's Active Parks program.

The Active Parks program offers something for residents whether they are six months, six years or sixty years old.

In operation for more than 10 years, Brisbane City Council's Active Parks program started as a way of promoting the cityâs parks as places to visit, play and have fun in.

A Council spokesperson told Australasian Leisure Management that "the program now also includes healthy lifestyle aspects and has been highly successful in improving the physical activity levels of thousands of Brisbane residents."

There are four rounds of Active Parks events each year with each round offering up to 500 sessions across more than 50 local parks.

"Council figures show each round typically attracts around 15,000 participants," the spokesperson added.

Sessions are either free or low cost and include:

• After-school activities and childrens' sports;
• Family fun days and treasure hunts;
• Walking, bike rides, canoe trips, rock climbing and orienteering;
• Fit mums and aqua classes;
• Yoga, tai chi, Pilates;
• Group training sessions with fitness trainers.

Among these activities: Tai Chi includes learning basic stretching and breathing techniques, with participants acquiring some serenity in the process!; fitbox and boxing for fitness classes use the latest fitness equipment to encourage participant to find out how to tone up faster; 'Yoga in the Park' sees participants stretching their bodies, quieten their minds and feel more centred; 'Foils and Fun' introduces the romantic sport of fencing with tuition by qualified coaches while orienteering encourages participants to explore and enjoy their neighbourhoods while navigating a specially designed orienteering course.

Most activities don't require booking, participants just show up on the day and join in the fun.

For more information go to www.brisbane.qld.gov.au