Parkour, scavenger hunts, orienteering, and nature play are just some of the ways Invercargill City Council is encouraging people to step outside and enjoy our parks and reserves to celebrate Parks Week 2025.

Parks Week, an annual event designed to celebrate the vital role parks play in our communities, will run from Monday 3 March to Monday 10 March.

Invercargill City Council Manager Parks and Recreation Caroline Rain said the city had an array of beautiful and fun public parks and spaces to enjoy.

“Throughout the week, we’ll be highlighting some of our award-winning parks and encouraging the public to get out and enjoy them.

“There are a range of activities and events going on in our parks this week and all year round,” she said.

A highlight of the week will be Children’s Day celebrations at Elizabeth Park on Sunday 9 March, facilitated by South Alive.

This free event will feature a range of activities including disc golf, table tennis, parkour, and games.

“There will be a scavenger hunt on the day to get people exploring every corner of Elizabeth Park,” Rain said.

“We will also be asking the community what improvements they would like to see in the park and gathering ideas about how we can best unlock the future potential of this space.”

Participants in the scavenger hunt will go in the draw to win a Splash Palace family pool pass or a private tour of the Queens Park aviary and animal reserve.

For those that cannot make it to Elizabeth Park on Sunday, Rain said there were plenty of other opportunities to enjoy the city’s public spaces this week.

“Invercargill City Council has about 150 parks and reserves across 3000 hectares of land.

“Whether it’s playing a game of disc golf, orienteering through Queens Park, or taking your dog for a walk in one of our dog-friendly spaces, Parks Week is a great opportunity to engage with Invercargill’s public spaces in a new way.”

A list of events and activities that are happening during the week is available on Invercargill City Council’s website: Parks Week 2025.

Parks Week runs until Monday, 10 March.