World Urban Parks awards international gold star of approval to Sydney’s Centennial Parklands

Centennial Parklands has been recognised for its world-leading parks management by winning Gold in the World Urban Parks inaugural 2018 International Large Urban Parks Awards.

The achievement sees the Sydney Eastern Suburbs park become the only park in Australia to hold the award and one of only two gold-award winners in the world.

With the world’s population estimated to double from 7 billion in the next 40 years, good quality green spaces are seen as vital in creating vibrant cities and healthy communities.

World Urban Parks created the International Park Awards to highlight world-class parks, who will act as a cornerstone for all parks to look to and to lead by example.

The 2018 International Large Urban Parks Awards granted points based on key criteria such as good design and layout, outstanding facilities, well-established community involvement and stunning park management and maintenance. Centennial Park excelled in all standards, achieving over 800 points and a Gold Award.

World Urban Parks noted Centennial Park for its “well managed and protected mix of rich nature, well-preserved heritage and provision of a good range of activities, in cooperation with the community in the heart of the densely populated inner Sydney”

Now in its 130th year, Centennial Park features formal and decorative gardens, ponds, grand avenues, statues and monuments, historic buildings, NSW’s first children’s “wild play” garden, education precinct, equestrian grounds and sporting facilities.

Welcoming the recognition, NSW Minister for the Environment, GabrielleUpton stated “it is wonderful to see Centennial Park and its team recognised universally as Australia’s leading urban park.

The Parklands make a significant contribution to the quality, understanding and enjoyment of life to Sydneysiders, domestic and international visitors and I applaud this achievement.”

The awards also help recognise the amazing variety of urban parks, showing that regardless of climate, usage and environment, countries can deliver world-glass green spaces for their communities.

Showcasing this diversity other winners in the inaugural 2018 International Large Urban Parks are:

Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland (Gold) - praised for its well-protected heritage. 
Rivierenhof Park, Antwerp, Belgium (Silver) - for its ongoing improvements after consultations with the citizens of Antwerp. 
Auckland Domain, Pukekawa, New Zealand (Bronze) - for its preservation and interpreatation of indigenous culture in cooperation with community. 
Eco Park, Kalkota, India (Bronze) - for its variety of attractions and large open space
Parque del Agua, Zaragoza, Spain (Bronze) - for its inventive re-use of the river Ebro and a former exhibition area, supplying water attractions and recreational opportunities.

Courtesy of Centennial Parklands' Amy Jozing.

Images courtesy of Centennial Parklands.

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