Date: Monday 03 March 2025
Time: 12:00 AEDT (1hr)
Cost: Free Event
Online
To celebrate Parks Week 2025, PLA is bringing in the industry experts to host a free webinar on the topic of physical activity in parks. Featuring Pazit Levinger (National Ageing Research Institute), Cathy Kiss (City of Melbourne), and Mark Chatman (KOMPAN Australia), this webinar will take a deep dive into the health benefits of parks, and look into practical strategies to ensure parks are designed to be used by all.
Pazit will explore the critical role of parks in enhancing health and well-being across all ages, with a particular focus on older adults. Drawing on the latest research, we will examine the evidence linking park access to improved physical, mental, and social health outcomes. As public space planning evolves, there is an increasing need to accommodate both passive and active recreation. Understanding these shifts is essential for creating inclusive environments that support healthier communities.
Cathy will explore the prompts for physical activity in parks. Starting with thinking about the variety of different park users, how do we plan and design spaces to encourage physical activity? What opportunities do we have to provide more programming for physical activity in parks? Cathy will share examples of planning and design to create environments that promote movement for children and young people.
Mark’s presentation will explore the different motivators and barriers for physical activity across all age groups and explain how parks and leisure professionals can translate these into attractive and effective outdoor recreation areas throughout the design process.
Attendees will:
- Understand the research-based health benefits of parks, including physical, mental, and social well-being.
- Learn how park design influences accessibility, inclusivity, and engagement for all ages.
- Gain insights into practical strategies for designing and maintaining inclusive and health-promoting park spaces
- Explore the benefits of outdoor play and exercise equipment designed to support physical activity and social engagement across all age groups
- Learn how different features have the ability to attract different segments of the community
Presenters:
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Pazit Levinger – Senior Principal Researcher – National Ageing Research Institute
Professor Pazit Levinger is a Senior Principal Researcher at the National Ageing Research Institute in Melbourne. A leading expert in age-friendly outdoor environments within recreational parks, she collaborates with government bodies on strategic planning and policy development to enhance public health through the built environment. Her research focuses on translating evidence into practice, working closely with local governments and communities to promote physical activity and improve the health and well-being of older adults.
Cathy Kiss AM – Recreation Planning and Capital Works Manager – City of Melbourne
Cathy is a Recreation Planner with extensive experience in planning and management of sport and recreation environments and parks. She is currently the Recreation Planning and Capital Works Manager at the City of Melbourne and has worked in this field in Local Government for over 30 years. She has a deep interest in supporting participation in healthy and active lifestyles for people of all ages, and a particular passion for children’s play and its role in movement and development.
Mark Chatman – Regional Manager VIC, TAS, WA, SA – KOMPAN Australia
Mark Chatman is a key figure at KOMPAN Australia, leading the way to deliver exceptional outdoor play and fitness spaces to the residents of the southern states and WA. With over a decade of experience in the play industry (working closely with Play Australia and the KOMPAN Play Institute) and a passion for igniting communities to be physically active, he is a trusted voice in outdoor recreation and play advocacy. Mark has worked on many iconic play and fitness sites in Victoria, including Lincoln Square playground, Wyndham Park playground, Officer District Park and Powlett Reserve outdoor gym.