By Michelle Barry, the Team Leader for Child Health Promotion for Healthy Cities Illawarra
With the kids back at school, don’t forget about the health benefits for yourself of being outside. Surveys have shown that having lunch outside is a mood booster and eating at your desk “because I’m too busy” can actually decrease your happiness and productivity.
This is something we aim to live by at Healthy Cities Illawarra and lunch is something we all look forward to each day, taking the opportunity to walk, breathe and chat!
Find your closest park through the website; most have picnic tables. In the meantime, here are three of my favourites!
1. Coronation Park, Manning Street, Kiama
Kiama is just a dream place to live or visit and this beautiful park overlooks Black Beach. There's also a great walk along the ocean to aid digestion after lunch, There are so many healthy food options to choose from in the town and with plenty of shade, an ocean breeze and lots of picnic tables, it’s a beautiful spot! The Kiama Farmers Market is here every Wednesday afternoon with a variety of local sustainable foods to choose from, including ready-to-eat meals.
2. Lackersteen Street, Callala Bay
A simple park with an overhead canopy of tree coverage for natural shade with a soundtrack of birds. This is a quiet, serene spot to enjoy some 'me time'. There’s a lovely walkway along the water, a bubbler and plenty of picnic tables to choose from – or just pull up under a tree and enjoy!
3. Mood Park, Tongarra Road, Albion Park
It’s great having a park in the middle of a town and it is somewhat of a rarity. This is the perfect place for any Albion Park workers who want to get out and enjoy lunch. Bring your own, pick up something from Woolies or the many eateries in the area, and enjoy some outdoor time, without having to put in too much effort! Picnic tables, bubblers and toilets are all on-site.
Find the best parks near you with Play Illawarra. Discover parks on the playground finder map with photos, facilities and so much more