Healthy Parks Healthy People
Healthy Parks Healthy People is all about improving mental and physical health by spending more time in parks.
Parks are a wonderful, free resource for the whole community. Whether its an urban park in your suburb, a regional Parklands like Centennial Parklands, or a national park there are many ways in which you or your family can benefit from spending more time in parks.
Research has shown that visiting a park can - among other benefits - reduce stress, boost immunity, enhance productivity, promote healing and foster psychological wellbeing.
So let's get out of the office, or away from the television and computer consoles, and get into parks for a healthy and balanced life.
Find out more and read some handy hints for getting healthy and happy in Centennial Parklands!
Background and Research
What is Healthy Parks Healthy People all about?
Ask most people about the purposes and benefits of urban parks, national parks and other protected areas and they're likely to tell you about the protection of flora, fauna, scenery and historical features, and about recreation and tourism.
All these are without doubt important values of parks.
National parks and urban parks are well recognised for their vital role in protecting our natural environment and cultural heritage, and in bringing social benefits in terms of the physical, mental and spiritual health of individuals and the community - as recognised by the Healthy Parks Healthy People campaigns throughout many Australian states.
The Healthy Parks Healthy People program was developed by Parks Victoria in 2000 to encourage increased visitation to parks and gardens by highlighting their health benefits. The Parks Victoria campaign has now been extended into NSW by the Sydney Parks Group who launched the initiative in October 2003 at Centennial Parklands in Sydney.Centennial Parklands, as a member of Sydney Parks Group, has adopted Healthy Parks Healthy People as a key initiative and integrated the principles throughout its operations.
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Research from Australia and around the world has demonstrated a wide range of beneficial health outcomes from spending more time in parks.
Parks and nature are an affordable, non-elitist, highly accessible means of improving community health that may help people reach their full potential. They are a public resource yet to be fully utilised for individual and community health and wellbeing.
Did you know?
Did you know that just viewing nature and natural scenes have been used as healing method in many stressful environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, remote military sites and even space stations? In these environments particularly, as well as for people who work in windowless offices, studies show that seeing nature is important to people and is an effective means of relieving stress and improving wellbeing.
The benefits in detail
While it may seem intuitive to many people what the benefits of parks and nature are, the following is a detailed list of how contact with parks and nature can benefit you and your family.
Biological and mental wellbeing
- Contact with nature provides a sense of wellbeing and positively influences immunity and cardiovascular function;
- Contact with nature reduces the magnitude of the physiological response to stress and enhances the ability to cope with, and recover from, stressful episodes;
- Some positive physiological effects of viewing nature include reduction of heart rate, muscle tension, blood pressure, and skin conductance;
- Views of nature improve psychological health, particularly emotional and cognitive;
- Natural surroundings assist cognitive functioning in children (including reducing the symptoms of attention deficit disorder);
- Views of nature improve performance in attention demanding tasks and can restore concentration/attention;
- Nature and parks promote healing in patients suffering from severe trauma, cancer, depression, anxiety, and other life-altering afflictions;
- Views of nature reduce self-reports of illnesses, such as headaches and digestive disorders, in people who live or work in confined, indoor spaces (such as offices and prisons);
- Contact with nature improves self-awareness, self-esteem, self-concept, and positively affects mood state, which have positive flow-on effects to physiological state (such as boosting immunity);
- Contact with nature is effective in alleviating the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and psychosomatic illness (including irritability, restlessness, insomnia, tension, headaches, and indigestion).
Social and community wellbeing
- Interacting with nature or participating in nature-based activities in one’s local neighbourhood can promote a sense of community, foster a sense of belonging or sense of place, and enhance social ties/relationships;
- Contact with nature reduces the stresses associated with urban living (such as crowding, noise, pollution, etc).
- Natural environments foster social capital within neighbourhoods by providing settings for groups to meet formally and informally for recreational or leisure pursuits;
- Residents who have nature nearby, or who regularly pursue nature related activities have greater neighbourhood satisfaction, and have better overall health than residents who do not;
- Nature in high density urban living can reduce vandalism, violence, crime rates, ease racial tension or prejudices, and result in neighbourhood and personal transformation;
- Contact with nature can foster a sense of identity and ownership, and provide a sense of integration rather than isolation for newly arrived migrants.
Economic wellbeing
- Contact with nature improves job satisfaction, overall health, and reduces job stress in the workforce as well as reducing number of sick days and employee absences;
- Parks and natural features attract businesses;
- Trees in urban streets attract consumers and tourists to business districts, and are seen to increase appeal;
- Tourism is the third largest industry worldwide, with growth occurring particularly in wilderness or nature-based tourism;
- Parks and nature tourism generate employment in regional areas;
- Significant natural features, including parks and gardens, raise real estate values;
- Contact with nature can potentially reduce the burden of disease on the current health care system. For example, for pet ownership alone preliminary estimates of savings to the health care system are between AUD$790 million to AUD$1.5 billion annually (Headey and Anderson, 1995);
- Interaction with nature encourages a holistic/ecological approach to health, giving people a sense of control over their own health and wellbeing which may lead to less reliance on health care services.
Environmental wellbeing
- Greater financial and in-kind support for parks will assist conservation and improvement of the natural (indigenous) values of parks;
- Increased participation in ‘Friends of Parks’ and other volunteer groups may improve natural values/capital within parks;
- Improved understanding of the need for natural areas may lead to green corridors and extended conservation areas;
- Greater awareness of the human health and wellbeing benefits of nature may improve conservation of additional natural spaces (such as those set aside for industry, for example).
Life satisfaction
- Contact with nature reduces the incidence of negative feelings such as anger, fear, anxiety, and frustration, and induces peace of mind;
- Contact with nature, or having nature nearby, improves quality of life, work satisfaction, and the coping ability of residents in urban areas;
- Natural environments foster a state of reflection, enabling one to gain perspective on life, and create an awareness of one’s surroundings;
- Contact with wilderness can develop leadership abilities, which translate positively into other areas of life.
Spiritual / existential wellbeing
- Nature provides spiritual inspiration, enabling people to gain a different or deeper perspective on life, for example by the realisation that they are part of something larger and universal;
- Contact with nature can inspire feelings of peace, oneness, connectedness, and strength;
- Nature is important to all people/cultures, in ‘developed’ and ‘undeveloped’ nations, for providing spiritual inspiration;
- Contemplation of nature can inspire a sense of freedom, reverence, encourage humility, prompt introspection and reflection on personal values, and lead to spiritual growth or enlightenment;
- Spirituality arising from contact with nature can reduce psychosis, substance abuse, and heal those suffering from violence and/or injury.
Further information
All references and information on this page are from the Healthy parks, healthy people: The health benefits of contact with nature in a park context (A review of relevant literature).
Who else is involved with Healthy Parks Healthy People?
Many park management agencies around Australia are involved in the Healthy Parks Healthy people initiative, including:
New South Wales
- Centennial Parklands
- Botanic Gardens Trust
- Sydney Olympic Park Authority
- Parramatta Park
- NSW Parks and Wildlife Service
- Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Non-Government Organisations
HPHP for Individuals
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Centennial Parklands can, without doubt, help change your life. Simply taking a walk in a park has been scientifically proven to decrease blood pressure and stress, increase blood circulation and improve your mental and physical wellbeing. But there is so much more the Parklands can do for you.
Experts say that the average person walks just over five kilometres an hour – and that just 30 minutes walking a day is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle. By walking just one lap of Centennial Park’s Grand Drive (3.7 kilometres) you will easily pass the recommended limit.
If you cycle, using our cycle lane, even better. You can even hire a bike right in Centennial Park!
Some people prefer to up the tempo and take a jog. Why not check out some of our recommended jogging routes on our Cross Country map.
Alternately there are many different programs and activities available througout the year tailored to exercise and learning that anyone can join. Visit our Events Calendar (see right hand column) or download our What's On brochure for more information.
If all else fails, drop by our Visitor Information Counter or the Parklands Office and we can provide a range of suggestions.
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More and more Australians are heading to indoor gyms as part of their healthy lifestyle activities. However, did you know by just visiting a park at least once a week, you can gain many of the benefits of a gym – and it’s free!
Just consider the following:
Research both from Australia and internationally confirms that contact with parks and nature can result in a range of health and wellbeing benefits.
These include:
- reducing heart rate, muscle tension and blood pressure
- reduced illnesses, such as headaches and digestive disorders, in people who live or work in confined, indoor spaces (such as offices)
- providing a sense of wellbeing and positively influencing immunity and cardiovascular function
- reducing the incidence of negative feelings such as anger, fear, anxiety and frustration, and inducing peace of mind
- alleviating the symptoms of anxiety, depression and psychosomatic illness
- improving quality of life, work satisfaction and the coping ability of residents in urban areas.
So, what can Centennial Parklands offer? Well...
- Instead of a treadmill - try walking or jogging around Grand Drive, Centennial Park. All your cardiovascular needs in a pleasant setting!
- Instead of an exercise bike - try the real thing. If you don't own own, hire one from our cycle hire provider.
- Want a cardiovascular workout? Our range of spaces, slopes and pathways will give you all the challenge you need.
Have your own gym equipment, bring it to the Parklands and use our wide open spaces. Exercising in the fresh air is always the best opportunity (of course, as a responsible and caring visitor, you will be taking care not to damage or cause undue wear and tear on our park furniture!).
So many people visit the Parklands every day of the year to exercise.
If you do prefer a gym, we also have one of those within the Parklands. Total Body Conditioning is located conveniently in the Entertainment Quarter.
So head to your nearest park to complement your healthy lifestyle activities and feel the benefits.
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Want to join a sports team, but don't know what's around, where to start or who to contact?
Visit our Sports in the Parklands page.
What is sports are played in Centennial Parklands?
How is this for a start...
- Athletics
- Aussie Rules
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cricket
- Football (soccer)
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Mini soccer
- Netball
- OzTag
- Rugby League
- Rugby Union
- Softball
- Ten Pin Bowling
- Tennis
- Touch football
We also have kids sports camps during holidays and a range of other sports off the radar that people use the Parklands to train for (frisbee or hurling anyone?).
Active ideas on your own or with a partner
Outside the normal everyday activities of walking, jogging or even cycling, what other active ideas are there in Centennial Parklands for people flying solo or with a friend?Have you ever thought of...
- Cycling or using a pedal car. Bring your own or hire one from Centennial Park Cycles.
- Rollerblading. Bring your own or hire one from SkaterHQ.
- Horse riding. You can do it today - even if you've had no previous experience. Find out how.
- Kicking a ball. Bring a ball to the park and have a kick around with a friend - and of course finish with a thirst-quenching drink from CP Dining.
- Hit a golf ball for fun. Our 60-bay driving range provides you with the opportunity to have fun hitting a golf ball without the pressure of actually being on a golf course.
If you are out and about and have forgotten a hat or sunscreen, just drop into the Visitor Information Counter to purchase one seven days-a-week.
Want a longer walk?
Centennial Parklands is part of the Harbour Bridge to South Head and Clovelly Walk under the NSW Government-sponsored Sharing Sydney Harbour brochure series. Download the brochure or find out more.
HPHP for Families and Groups
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What is the secret to healthy kids?Centennial Parklands could provide the key to healthier, happier kids! The fact is that getting active, in combination with healthy eating, is a great way for children to become really healthy and stay that way. And it goes much further than managing their weight – it gives kids crucial physical and social confidence.
How much activity?
- For 5 to 12 year olds: at least 60 minutes a day (and up to several hours), combining moderate and vigorous activity
- 12 to 18 year olds: at least 60 minutes a day, including 20 minutes or more of vigorous activity three to four times a week
Moderate activity causes an increase in heart rate and breathing; it includes active play in the backyard, skateboarding or a leisurely bike ride. Vigorous activity makes kids ‘huff and puff’; it includes soccer, netball, basketball, ballet, running, swimming laps or more intense bike-riding.
How to motivate kids
Saying 'Get up and do something!' to a child often ends up achieving the opposite. But if you take a less direct approach the results can be amazing. Lead by example and set up the conditions in which to be active.
Activity ideas
'I'm bored' would have to be the most annoying words in the English language. If you hear them, you should always have an answer. The trick is to start small.
Being active as a family
If you'd like your child to be healthy, start by looking at yourself and your family. Being active as a family allows you to be good role model and it's a chance to have fun together.
Coaching
Parents often take responsibility for a team or help out in some way. If you want to find out what sporting clubs play in Centennial Parklands and how you can be involved, visit our Sports in the Parklands page for club contact details.
Further information
Visit: www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au. This great website is designed to equip parents and carers with accurate and evidenced based information about healthy eating, physical activity and healthy weight.
Practical activity ideas for the family
There are many practical activity opportunities for the whole family in Centennial Parklands.Here are just a few:
- Playgrounds: there are seven children's playgrounds across Centennial Parklands, including three in Centennial Park, one newly refurbished one in Queens Park and one in Moore Park. There are two playgrounds in the Entertainment Quarter as well.
- Bike riding: while kids of an older age can ride their bikes around Grand Drive, smaller kids learning to ride can take advantage of our popular children's Learner Cycleway. Don't own a bike? No worries. Hire one from Centennial Park.
- Golf for fun or for learning: Moore Park Golf offers junior development programs from age 4 and up, or you can do-it-yourself on our safe, all-weather driving range. No need for equipment, just hire them on-site.
- Rollerblading: Bring your own, or hire some from Skater HQ in the Entertainment Quarter.
- Lollipops Playland (and cafe!): the Entertainment Quarter caters for the youngsters in a large, multi-levelled indoor playground - and don't forget there's an adjoining cafe to wait in!
- Pony rides: ever been asked for a pony for Christmas? No need to buy one, just hire one. Take a pony ride today and enjoy this unique Sydney experience.
- School Holidays sport camps: Centennial Parklands hosts a wide range of programs throughout the year, but especially during school holidays.
If it is a less intensive activity you're looking for, how about just:
- bring a skipping rope to the Parklands
- bring a frisbee to the Parklands
- play a ball game on our sports fields
The best thing to do is try and build activity into your daily life and keep a football, frisbee, jump rope or bat and ball in your car at all times - just for those spur of the moment opportunities that arise.
Want even more ideas?
Try:
Organised activities during school holidays
Centennial Parklands has a very busy and wide ranging school holiday program that features many sporting, educational and craft-type programs for the kids.You can find out about these by downloading our What's On brochure or more detailed What's On document every season.
Resources and Links
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If you are interested in finding out more about healthy living ideas and activities for yourself or family members, why not try the following websites:
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We recommend the following organisations for healthy and active lifestyle advice and information:
- NSW Health
- NSW Sport and Recreation
- Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- The Heart Foundation
- Asthma NSW
- Cancer Council NSW
- Diabetes Australia - NSW
- Centre for Overweight and Obesity
Non-English Language Resources
We recommend the following websites for information on healthy and active lifestyles in languages other than English:






