More than 700 people attended the opening of a new park over the weekend in AVID Property Group’s (AVID) Savana community in Wyndham Vale, designed to support health and wellbeing among residents and the local community.
Savana’s community park officially opened on Saturday 15 June with a family-friendly celebration, treating locals and visitors to free face painting, a petting zoo, lawn games and appearances by Nick Jr.’s PAW Patrol.
More than 50 welcome gifts were distributed to new Savana residents at the event who were invited to be the first to try out the new playground and facilities at the park.
AVID Property Group Victorian General Manager Peter Vlitas said park facilities like this delivered more than just beautiful spaces for the community; they are important facilities in aiding with health and wellbeing for residents and visitors alike.
“This park has a great range of amenities including an amphitheatre, greenspace, jungle gym and play fort that truly encourage active play for kids and offer adults the opportunity to exercise as well,” Mr Vlitas said.
The park is more than a hectare in size – creating the perfect space for the growing Savana and Wyndham Vale community.
“Whether you’re a yoga fanatic, taking your dog for a walk or you just want to have a game of soccer on the lawn with your friends, you’ll be able to come down and enjoy Savana’s community park.
“With adults and kids spending an increasing number of hours in front of screens, offering families and individuals an exciting place to actively explore is a really important step for building not just a happy community, but a healthy community as well.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, only 43 per cent of adults meet the Australian Government’s recommended physical activity guidelines and children aged 5-17 spend nearly one and a half times more time on screen-based activities than they spend exercising 1.
Community parks are an important resource when encouraging active lifestyles within a community, with the Heart Foundation finding adults with green spaces around their home have 37 per cent lower hospitalisation rates and a 16 per cent lower self-reported rate of heart disease or stroke 2.
The study also found that walkers exercising in urban parks report greater happiness and lower anger and depression scores. 3
“Infrastructure such as parks, footpaths, green open spaces, sporting and play equipment is just one of the ways AVID help to create happy healthy communities,” said Mr Vlitas.
“Spaces such as Savana’s community park give people a place to come together, meet their neighbours and stay active.
All homes in the Savana community are located within 400 meters of the park, giving residents easy access to the new amenities.
> Find out more about living in Savana
1 https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4364.0.55.004Chapter1002011-12
2 http://www.healthyactivebydesign.com.au/design-features/public-open-spaces
3 http://www.healthyactivebydesign.com.au/design-features/public-open-spaces