Creating Greener Parks For Sustainable Communities

When local governments invest more resources into environmental sustainability, the rest of the community tends to follow suit. Parks are a free and open space for us to relax, play, exercise and connect, both with our community and also with nature. This makes them a great starting point for creating a greener and more sustainable environment. Local councils can help lead the charge by investing in environmentally sustainable furniture and infrastructure. Here are some simple changes you can make to create cleaner and greener parklands:

Improve waste management

The best way to keep parks litter-free is to make waste disposal as easy and as pain free as possible. Clearly, having enough bins is key – if there’s a bin in sight to dispose of rubbish, most people will not litter. While having bins in your park is one thing, having the right bins is another. Shape is important – bins with heavy lids are prone to dirt and grime, which makes them unpleasant to use, while those without lids are prone to spilling over and letting rubbish blow away. Visibility is also vital – your bins should catch people’s attention and clearly distinguish waste from recyclables. Investing in high-quality, bolted down bin surrounds is a practical way to keep your rubbish contained and your community comfortable.

Minimise water waste
While it can be tempting to cut down on the accessibility of water, this comes at the detriment of comfort. People need water for drinking and cleaning, otherwise their visit to the park will be a short-lived one. This is why you should focus on reducing water wastage, not usage. Installing flow restricting valves on taps can cut waste in half, while push-button timer taps can help reduce accidental and unnecessary leaks. Plus, by choosing furniture that requires less water to clean, you can cut back on wastage and maintenance time. When picking plants, opt for natives that don’t require additional water between rains. Not only do these plants look beautiful in their natural environment, they also save precious resources.

Encourage carbon-free activities
Helping your community reduce its carbon footprint is all about convenience. You can make parks more accessible to bikes by offering clear bike paths and safe storage racks. Additionally, by ensuring parklands are accessible by public transport, walking and wheelchair-friendly routes, you can minimise the need to drive. It’s also important to remember that the more time people spend outside, the less time they will spend in the car, using electricity and burning coal. This is just one reason why it’s important for local communities ensure parklands are an enjoyable and inviting space, year-round.

Choose sustainable materials
Not all materials are created equal when it comes to environmental sustainability. While some products are more sustainable to produce, they won’t last as long. Additionally, some will use more resources to clean and maintain than others. For example, instead of opting for timber bench settings, which are prone to rain and heat erosion, you can choose recycled plastic, which is both easy to clean and will last much longer. This is why it’s important to strike a balance between quality and maintenance needs when thinking about sustainability. For this, future planning and consideration of your environment is crucial.

We believe Australian communities need dynamic, healthy and vibrant parks to maintain a high quality of life. As a wholly Australian owned and operated business, nobody understands the needs of our parks like Felton Industries. We’re committed to providing the highest quality outdoor aluminium furniture solutions, ensuring the most comfortable and environmentally sustainable experience possible. For more information about outdoor furniture tailored to your unique needs, get in touch with our friendly team today.