News release

26 February 2013

Get healthy by nature – Parks Week

Want to get fitter, but prefer the open air to sweating in a gym? Then next week should be heaven, with a number of park-based events around the Wellington region, designed specifically for you.

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) is supporting Parks Week – Get healthy by nature, with several special events that use the region’s wonderful parks.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to get out and enjoy their regional parks, while getting some exercise as well,” says Amanda Cox, Manager Parks for GWRC.

Physical inactivity is costing the region and the country a fortune, according to a study released this month and co-sponsored by Wellington Regional Strategy Committee (which represents all the councils in the Wellington region).

“The cost for the whole country was approximately $1.3 billion or 0.7% of total GDP in 2010, while the cost to the Wellington region alone was $140 million. Finding fun ways to encourage people to use their parks is one way to overcome the problems associated with lack of exercise. That’s what Parks Week aims to do.”

Parks Week runs 2-8 March 2013 and the events that use our regional parks are:

Parks Week coordinating body, The Parks Forum is the peak body for park management organisations in Australia and New Zealand. A range of private and public events will take place across Australia and New Zealand next week to spread the word that parks are essential to healthy, happy and strong communities. Further information on Parks Week: Get Healthy by Nature can be found on the Parks Forum website, http://www.parksforum.org/cms/pages/Parks-Week.html

In the Wellington region Parks Week is also supported by Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council and Porirua City Council. Contact the councils concerned for details of events in city parks.

ENDS

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