The Romsey Ecotherapy Park has been recognised with more awards, receiving two landscape architecture prizes from the The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA).
The park won a Regional Achievement Award and a Landscape Architecture Award in the Parks and Open Spaces category at the 2024 Vic State Awards night on Wednesday, June 5.
The project, led by ACLA Consultants, was a 14-year community-led initiative to transform an abandoned primary school into a nature-based recreation and relaxation site.
The park includes therapeutic gardens and water features for healing and wellbeing, an ‘active nature space’, arts and cultural spaces, and a picnic area.
The jury of the AILA awards said that the park was a welcoming and safe space for people of all ages, demonstrating a community and environmentally-focused design.
“Romsey Ecotherapy Park demonstrates an exemplary process and outcome – a park that sustains the wellbeing of the community along with an active design process that prioritises the community through an educative approach,” they said.
“The community was empowered through climate positive and culturally sensitive design practices, transforming an abandoned primary school into a community heart that integrates diverse activities, play, wellbeing and culture.”
The AILA honoured 25 winners from a total of 68 entries across 14 categories, including three Regional Achievement Award winners.
Romsey Ecotherapy Park was awarded ‘Park of the Year’ at Parks and Leisure Australia’s Vic/Tas Regional Awards of Excellence on June 9, 2023.
Oscar Parry
