Ipswich residents can rest assured they have access to some of the best designed facilities in Australia when it comes to parks that promote healthy and active living.
Pebbles Park and Faye Carr Park at Ecco Ripley have been recognised as part of the Heart Foundation’s Healthy Active by Design initiative.
The initiative provides the best-available evidence, practical advice, checklists and case studies to help with the development of healthy neighbourhoods and communities that promote walking, cycling and an active public life.
Ecco Ripley has about 10 hectares of parklands and green, open space to encourage residents and visitors to be physically active, and to improve community cohesion and social wellbeing.
Exercise equipment at Faye Carr Park.
A dog makes use of Pebbles Park.
Ecco Ripley development manager Daniel Flanagan said Pebbles Park and Faye Carr Park included a variety of play elements that enable different play movement, as well as the development of sensory, physical and social skills.
“The Ecco Ripley parks have proved to be a popular destination for the local and wider community, with huge social value and engagement through play facilities and amenities for all ages,” Mr Flanagan said.
“Our $3.9 million investment in Pebbles Park and Faye Carr Park has seen an increase in community
activity, with a range of sporting, exercise and fitness areas, and Ripley’s first off-leash dog park.
“Importantly, research shows residents with a larger neighbourhood park within 1,600 metres engage
in 150 minutes more recreational activity per week than those with smaller parks.
“We’re thrilled to be able to give our residents and visitors to Ecco Ripley the opportunity to improve
their overall health and wellbeing.”
Faye Carr Park.
Faye Carr Park.
Pebbles Park and Faye Carr Park, which were designed in partnership with town planners Saunders Havill
Group, were assessed by the Heart Foundation on the principles of access, function and design, to
ensure the recreational, physical and social needs of all members of the community were being met.
The Ecco Ripley parks join the likes of the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Roma Street Parkland
Children’s Playground and the Brisbane Showgrounds for best-practice design as part of the Heart
Foundation’s Healthy Active by Design initiative.
Both parks also received Gold Awards for Commercial Open Space at the recent Australian Institute
of Landscape Designers and Managers Awards, with Faye Carr Park also winning Best in Category.
- Faye Carr Park is at Fitzgibbon Street, Ripley
- Pebbles Park is at 622 Ripley Road, Ripley
The full Healthy Active by Design Ecco Ripley case study is available here.
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