Romsey Ecotherapy Park claimed the ‘park of the year’ title on June 8, at the 2023 regional awards of excellence by Parks and Leisure Australia.
The award recognises well designed and managed new or significantly revitalised parks, with Romsey taking home the prize due to its innovative design and strong community collaboration.
The park officially opened in October 2022 after a 14 year community led initiative to create a regionally significant place to enhance health and wellbeing for all ages and abilities.
Mayor Annette Death said the project was a great example of how council and the community can work together to achieve a positive outcome.
“The park has become a wonderful feature in the community, where children can play and everyone can gather and enjoy the surrounds,” Cr Death said.
“It’s strengthening community connections while providing a unique open space for recreational activities.
“I want to… acknowledge the hard work and commitment of Romsey Ecotherapy Park Inc. and the Romsey community, who were fundamental in helping this amazing project come to fruition.”
The park includes; a climbing forest, ropes course, flying fox, water features, a sensory garden, a ‘woodland ramble’ and events space with picnic and barbeque facilities.
Numerous sculptural installations are featured to highlight the talent of local artists and a special storytelling chair.
The park has also retained existing trees, used recycled and locally sourced materials, included solar lighting to illuminate pathways, and planted more than 4000 native and exotic plants.
It will go on to contend for the National Park of the Year award in October 2023.
Zoe Moffatt
