Grab your runners! Parkrun given approval for weekend events

Published on 07 June 2021

Runners will soon have the opportunity to build in a weekly, community catch-up and exercise in some of Frankston City’s most attractive environments, with Frankston City Council putting its support behind a parkrun Australia application to operate in the municipality.

The endorsement was granted under Council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan to increase opportunities for sport and leisure, with supporting funding of $15,000 to come from Council’s COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Package.

The Frankston reserve is managed by Parks Victoria, which has already granted a permit for the parkrun event.

South Ward Cr Claire Harvey said: “This will be an exciting addition to the recreational opportunities available to our community.

“We expect it to be a well-run event that can build healthy habits among people of all ages who may not otherwise be engaged with organised sport, and contribute significantly to wellbeing.

“Research consistently shows that time spent in natural environments, regular physical activity and increased social connection can all contribute significantly to personal wellbeing.

“After all that we’ve been through during these past 18 months, we need programs like this in our city now more than ever,” Cr Harvey said.

Council considered the views of Frankston’s Environmental Friends Network and other local conservation groups that supported a parkrun event in Frankston City while expressing concerns about the potential for environmental impact.

The Seaford wetlands are included on the List of Wetlands of International Importance, developed under the Ramsar convention.

North West Ward Cr Sue Baker said she was influenced in supporting the event by the positive reputation parkrun Australia has for respecting sensitive environments where it is already operating – such as the Gippsland Lakes and Westernport areas – and the ‘leave no trace’ policy participants agree to.

Cr Baker said: “Parkrun is an organisation that runs regular events that we have heard bring significant personal benefits to individuals – in terms of physical and mental health – and to communities across Australia and internationally.

“The unique biodiversity that we have in Frankston City is also important to our community’s wellbeing and we will continue to work alongside our conservation volunteers to ensure it can be enjoyed by people and wildlife, and future generations of both.”

South Ward Cr Liam Hughes said he is a frequent visitor to the Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve (known also as Frankston Reservoir) and believes a parkrun will be of great benefit to the community.

Cr Hughes said: “It’s a great community asset we have; there’s so many people of all ages that use it and I see the potential. But I’d also like to say to those who may not support this proposal, if ever there’s an issue, please approach your Councillors and we will work to rectify it.”

Parkrun hosts events across 414 locations nationwide, including the Cascades on Clyde Wetlands in the City of Casey, and others in Rosebud and along the Hastings foreshore. Participants are invited to walk, jog, run or volunteer over a five kilometre course.

Cr Harvey said she will work with Frankston City Council officers on any future planning to accommodate more events across a number of locations if it was warranted.

“Parkrun has shown itself to be a socially responsible organisation, so I expect it will work closely with Council to provide more – or more suitable – locations in the future should these groups outgrow these ecologically sensitive areas,” she said.