Staff Writer
 
An official council participation kit has been launched for Parks Alive 2007, a South Australian local government initiative designed to encourage people to take advantage of public parks and reserves that will be held over the weekend of 27 and 28 of October

Parks Alive is the brainchild of the Creative Communities Network (CCN) SA and the South Australian Local and State Government cultural development forum, and it is the first program of its kind according to the organisers.

With over 20 councils already registered and set to take part, Parks Alive aims to promote community engagement, well being and the role of councils in parks and reserves.

The event encourages small scale activities which invite people to use their own local park or reserve, rather than large council-organised events or festivals.

The focus will be on neighbourhood events, picnics, BBQs, ‘park parties’, games or other activities organised together with local community and resident groups.

“I congratulate Local Government and the Creative Communities Network for putting parks back on the map and putting people back in the parks,” said Unley mayor, Richard Thorne.

“Many older residents remember with a sense of nostalgia ‘bandstand’ concerts that were once held in local parks on Sundays,” said.

According to Marion deputy mayor, Raelene Telfer Local Government works hard to maintain open public spaces where the climate and nature can be enjoyed.

"Councils plant more than 300,000 native trees, shrubs, groundcover and native grasses across South Australia each year to enhance the physical and environmental well-being of our local communities," she said.

"Parks Alive 2007 gives our communities the opportunity to reconnect with their local environment, get to know their neighbours and take advantage of the wealth of community assets on our doorsteps."

According to Mr Thorne, local government in South Australia maintains and manages more than $10 billion worth of parks, gardens, nature reserves and sporting grounds on behalf of local communities.

To find out more about Parks Alive click here.