Sunshine Coast Council backs Parks Week 2021

The Sunshine Coast community is being encouraged to celebrate the region’s green spaces and green-thumbs for Parks Week 2021.

Starting from Saturday 6th March, the Council hosted a tree planting event at Khancoban Park, Buderim, which will be followed by another tree planting at Springs Drive Park, Little Mountain on Saturday 13th March.

Sunshine Coast Council Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor, Maria Suarez urged locals and visitors to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, planting native trees, advising “each tree planted will help provide food and habitat for our local wildlife and create more shade for park users.

“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’.

Explaining the benefits of exploring the Sunshine Coast’s unique and beautiful parks and gardens, Councillor Suarez noted “from our scenic hinterland to Peregian in the north and Glass House Mountains in the south, we have some outstanding natural parks to explore.

“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 also highlighted the Healthy Sunshine Coast initiative which, he advised “brings 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.

“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.

• 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 Khancoban Park, Buderim, Saturday 6th March 
• Love the Garden Volunteer Week at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden, Monday 1st to Sunday 7th March, 10am to 2pm.
• Tree Planting at Springs Drive Park, Little Mountain - Corner of Springs Drive and Parklands Boulevard, Saturday 13th March, 8-11am.
• Harmony Day in the Botanic Garden at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden, Tanawha, Saturday 20th March, 8.30-11am. 

Click here for more information on Parks Week 2021.

Images: Community tree planting volunteer digging deep to improve the Sunhsine Coast's green spaces (top) and Healthy Sunshine Coast participant doing yoga in the park (below).