Source: Auckland Council
Ōrākei Local Board has utilised Auckland Council’s Active Recreation Team to deliver an Out & About programme aimed at bringing local parks alive with play and family fun.
“Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the number of residents visiting local parks had dropped significantly, and so getting those families back out there making the most of our what neighbourhood greenspaces and reserves have to offer, getting fit, engaging with nature and connecting together again became a priority, and something which the local board was keen to help improve” explains Scott Milne, Ōrākei Local Board Chair.
“During COVID-19 visiting playgrounds and gathering in public spaces was discouraged, and so it took some encouragement to get back into the swing of things once it because safe again.”
Activating local green spaces and parks, are a great way to see them used to their full potential, as well and engage the local community. The Activation Team who oversees the delivery of Out & About Auckland focuses on providing a wide range of free whānau friendly events and activities encouraging Aucklanders to be more active through play, active recreation and exercise.
“Through activations, we help bring awareness and a renewed appreciation for the cities green spaces, we help people connect with nature and celebrate the unique Māori identity of Tāmaki Makaurau,” says Sunny Karan of the Activation Team. In the Ōrākei local board area, Out & About Auckland with the help of specialised delivery partners provided 17 activations across 12 locations and engaged with over 800 attendees.
The programme was flexible enough to deliver around the 36th America’s Cup events and extended beyond the preferred April timeframe due to the COVID-19 alert level changes making it an extra long outdoor season this year.
Activities included:
- Wild Child/Wild Whanau. Where families were invited to play with nature through music, weaving, and meeting local wildlife
- Junk Play and Cardboard Play events
- Wellness Riders Girls Skate Clinic. Focusing on girls skateboarding skills and encouragement
- Circus in the Park
- and much, much more.
Check out the Out and About Auckland Facebook Page for more events coming up, and browse OurAuckland for more events going on in your local area.
