“Maximising the Health Benefits of Parks: Designing Spaces for Physical Activity and Community Engagement”
Overview:
To celebrate Parks Week 2026, Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) is hosting a free, expert-led webinar exploring the vital role parks play in promoting physical activity, health, and social connection. This session brings together leading industry professionals to examine how public spaces can be designed and maintained to encourage active and inclusive use for all community members.
Attendees will gain practical insights into the ways parks contribute to physical, mental, and social well-being, as well as strategies to ensure parks are accessible, inclusive, and engaging for people of all ages and abilities. The webinar will also explore how features such as outdoor play areas and exercise equipment can promote active lifestyles and foster community connection.
Key Topics Include:
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Health Benefits of Parks:
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Understanding the physical, mental, and social well-being benefits of spending time in parks.
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Evidence-based insights on how park use contributes to healthier, happier communities.
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Inclusive Park Design:
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How Park layout, features, and accessibility can impact usage across different age groups and abilities.
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Practical strategies for creating welcoming, inclusive spaces that encourage participation.
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Encouraging Physical Activity and Outdoor Play:
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Designing and maintaining spaces that promote movement, exercise, and social interaction.
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Integrating outdoor fitness equipment, playgrounds, and multi-use areas to appeal to diverse community members.
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Engaging the Community:
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How different park features attract different segments of the community.
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Tips for programming and promotion to maximise use and engagement.
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Who Should Attend:
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Parks and recreation managers and staff
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Urban planners and landscape architects
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Local government officers responsible for community spaces
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Health, wellness, and community engagement professionals
Learning Outcomes:
By participating in this webinar, attendees will:
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Understand the broad health benefits of parks for physical, mental, and social well-being.
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Gain practical strategies to design and maintain inclusive, engaging park spaces.
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Learn how to use park features to encourage outdoor play, exercise, and social interaction across all age groups.
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Explore ways to attract and engage diverse community segments through thoughtful park planning.
Format:
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60 minutes with expert presentations, practical examples, and a live Q&A session.
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Resources and strategies provided to support implementation in local park projects.
Why Attend:
This webinar offers an opportunity to learn from industry leaders about creating parks that are not only spaces of recreation but also hubs of community health, activity, and inclusion. Attendees will leave inspired with actionable ideas to help their parks reach their full potential.
Presenters:
Chris Alexander – General Manager, Standards & Development at AUSactive
Chris Alexander – General Manager, Standards & Development at AUSactive
Chris Alexander is the General Manager at AUSactive, the peak exercise and active health industry body with over 18,000 members. He serves on the Board of Directors of the International Confederation of Registered Exercise Professionals and is involved in program grants with all levels of government, research, education, standards, and guideline development for exercise professionals and businesses. Over the past 20 years, Chris has continued to practice as an accredited Exercise Physiologist and recently completed his MBA.
Kieran Smith – Parks, Play and Open Spaces Programme Manager – Recreation Aotearoa
Kieran is our Parks, Play & Open Spaces Programme Manager. With almost a decade of navigating the wild terrains of parks, play, and cemeteries, Kieran isn’t just a programme guru — he’s a community connector extraordinaire.
After managing green havens and playgrounds with the Taupō District Council over the past eight years, Kieran doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the mud-stained, grassy walk. His mission: to enhance the vibrancy of our communities by creating healthier, happier spaces.
But Kieran’s not just about work. He’s a superhero dad of three (a six-year-old and two four-year-olds), and a master-juggler of rugby refereeing, family fun, and championing sponsorship for King Country referees. And if that’s not enough, he’s also on a quest for knowledge, pursuing his Bachelor of Business Studies through Massey University Distance School.