With nearly 15,000 people getting involved, an increase of 11 per cent on last year, this year’s Greater Wellington Regional Council Great Outdoors Summer Events programme was the biggest yet. And with an overall satisfaction rate of 93 per cent among those who attended events, it was hugely popular.
Running for three months between January and April, the programme offered an interesting and exciting variety of activities for people to enjoy throughout summer in our regional parks. They exercised, explored, pedalled, played, photographed, laughed and ate and drank their way through the 65 events on offer. There was something for just about everyone.
“We’re building on the popularity of the programme to introduce people to our parks,” says GWRC Parks Manager Amanda Cox. “Events attract people into parks and we hope the beauty of the surroundings encourages them to return and explore some more.
“People in the region are beginning to realise the wide range of recreational opportunities our parks provide. The Great Outdoors programme is about reminding them and helping to promote a healthy outdoor lifestyle.”
The programme featured a mix of activities run or supported by GWRC or other organisations. The biggest was the welcome return of the Kāpiti Festival to Queen Elizabeth Park, which attracted a whopping 4000 people, followed by Eat, Drink and be Crafty at Battle Hill Farm Forest Park which featured more than 100 stalls and plenty to do for the kids.
At the other end of the scale there were lots of smaller, more intimate, events for people looking to explore plant and wildlife or even take up fly fishing.
Next year’s programme will be bigger, brighter and better, says Amanda Cox. But if you want to get out into our wonderful regional parks, you don’t have to wait until then as they are equally wonderful in winter.
