Parks and Leisure Australia salutes parks and their workers with green lighting initiative

Aiming to honour parks, open spaces and civic place - and their workers - that have provided space for people to be physically and mentally active during the Coronavirus crisis, Parks and Leisure Australia has staged the first of two #GoGreenForParks and #GoingGreenforParkies events.

Held yesterday (Tuesday 23rd June), each evening until the last day of the month on Tuesday 30th June, the initiative has seen civic landmarks and prominent locations illuminated with green lighting.

Acknowledging park managers and their hard work, the initiative also calls on Australians to wear green on the successive Tuesdays.

Developed in association with parks agencies around the world, the initiative was started by the New York Parks Department which paid tribute to parks and their workers with the green lighting of the Empire State Building, the NYC Parks’ Arsenal, Washington Square Arch and other elements across the city.

Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) President, Paul Jane points out that the global need and demand for parks and open spaces has never been more important and around the world, park workers have continued to maintain parks in support of the mental and physical health of all visitors during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Jane advises “more than ever, our parks and greenspaces have proven to be critical places of refuge, and park workers have been working tirelessly to keep these sanctuaries of health, connectedness and sanity open in Australia and around the world.”

PLA Chief Executive, Mark Band went on to say “our members and the spaces and places we manage have become critically recognised for their importance and this is a small token of our appreciation to all front line workers that have helped us all get through COVID-19.

“Parks remain open and of course, we encourage all to use them in a responsible manner whilst recognising and implementing social distancing guidelines.

The #GoGreenForParks and GoingGreenforParkies celebration invites all Australians to:

• Wear Green on Tuesday 23rd and Tuesday 30th June
• Light up your spaces and places Green from sunset on the 23rd June until 30th June
• Share photographs and experiences using the #GoGreenForParks #GoingGreenforParkies on all social media platforms