Green light to celebrate vital open spaces

MEDIA RELEASE

Iconic buildings across Adelaide will be lit up in green this week as part of a global celebration of the importance of open space during the COVID-19 pandemic and the parks staff who maintain them.

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Town Hall and the Bicentennial Conservatory at Adelaide Botanic Garden are some of the iconic sites which will be lit up in green.

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the #GoingGreenForParkies campaign will involve Adelaide landmarks up until 30 June.

“Parks and open spaces are critical to our wellbeing at any time, but during the latest global health crisis they have been even more important to people as an accessible, safe place to spend time in,” said Minister Speirs.

“The #GoingGreenForParkies campaign acknowledges the work of parks and recreation staff everywhere who have kept parks open during a time of significantly increased use.

“The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation came up with the idea to honour essential parks workers and has already lit up many landmarks, such as the Empire State Building, and Parks and Leisure Australia has asked cities across Australia to join in this recognition.

“As donors to World Urban Parks, the South Australian Government is pleased to take part in thanking parks and gardens staff for maintaining open spaces and supporting visitors’ physical and mental health.

“We also thank Adelaide City Council and the other organisations for supporting this initiative.”

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said the City of Adelaide was grateful to its fantastic team members for their hard work in keeping the Adelaide Park Lands open and safe during the COVID-19 health emergency.

“Being able to get outside into the Adelaide Park Lands and enjoy some fresh air has been crucial for people’s mental and physical wellbeing during the pandemic,” said Lord Mayor Verschoor.

“It’s been wonderful to see so many families out rediscovering the Park Lands, enjoying walks together, riding their bikes and discovering our many trails in a responsible and physically distanced way.

“None of this would have been possible without our dedicated horticultural staff keeping them maintained and safe. To honour them and all South Australia’s park rangers, we’re joining the Department of Environment and Water in supporting this initiative by lighting the Adelaide Town Hall green in recognition of their hard work and to say ‘thanks’.”

The Marshall Liberal Government and Green Adelaide Board are working towards Adelaide’s certification as a National Park City, which will seek to make the city greener, healthier, wilder and more connected to nature.

Parks and Leisure Australia is the industry association for professionals and is leading the initiative to illuminate civic spaces and iconic buildings across Australia, as well as encouraging people to wear green this week in a further show of support for “parkies”.

World Urban Parks is the key global organisation addressing urban greening and open-space matters for national parks and gardens institutions. It has established three social media hashtags for the green buildings initiative - #GoingGreenForParkies, #GoingGreenForParks and #NatureNeverCloses.

Anyone can join in by posting their own images of green-lit buildings or sharing social media posts.