World Urban Parks invites entries for 2023 Awards

World Urban Parks, the international body offering advice, support and connection with urban parks, open space and recreation issues, has opened applications for its 2023 Awards program.

Explaining the rationale behind the Awards, which were launched in 2018, a World Urban Parks statement advises “large urban parks are very different. Some are well-groomed parks in the midst of a city, others are landscape parks on the periphery of a city. Some may contain deep forests, others agricultural areas.

“Some may be old, filled with historic heritage, others newly created. Climate differs and offers various types of nature (while) usage differs from heavily populated to sparsely visited green spaces.”

The program includes the following awards.

Distinguished Individual Award
The Distinguished Individual Award recognises any individual associated with the parks, open space, and recreation industry.

Emerging Cities Leaders - Individual Award
The Emerging Cities Leaders Award of World Urban Parks encourages and recognizes leadership contributions made by individuals to the urban parks, open space, and recreation sector from Emerging Cities (developing nations). The Emerging Cities Leaders Award recognizes any individual associated with the parks, open space, and recreation industry.

Legacy Award
The Legacy Award of World Urban Parks recognises past leaders who impacted parks and park management.

Young Leaders
The Young Leaders Award of World Urban Parks encourages and recognises young leaders (individuals) who have committed to making a difference in their communities and internationally.  The Young Leaders Award recognises any individual associated with the parks, open space, and recreation industry under the age of 35.

The Awards are given in three categories: gold, silver and bronze.

International Large Urban Parks Awards
The International Large Urban Parks Awards aim to recognise the quality of parks, the skills of the people who manage them and the value they bring to the cities they serve, enabling cities around the world to benchmark their performance and understand where improvements could be made. The Awards are based on four main criteria which are: park design and layout, features and facilities, community engagement and involvement, and park management and maintenance.

Nominations are open until 10th September with the winner to be informed as of 25th September.

Winners will be awarded at the 2023 World Parks Congress in Adelaide, South Australia which runs from 22nd to 26th October.

Click here for more information.

Click here for details on the World Parks Congress in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.