We often hit the ground running – like 577 keen Parkrun participants (pictured) at Moana and Aldinga Beach – with renewed goals on New Year’s Day, only for them to drop off as the year progresses.
Thankfully, below you’ll find a range of events, programs and experiences in the City of Onkaparinga to help ensure your goals go the distance.
Get fit
There are a range of free health and fitness programs on offer across the city in 2020.
The Heart Foundation Walking Program pairs local volunteer organisers with small groups of people on regular walks in their local area in a fun, supportive and social atmosphere.
If you’re after something more strenuous, Parkrun is a five-kilometre timed community group run or walk every Saturday at Aldinga Beach, Christies Beach, McLaren Vale, Moana and Reynella East.
For outdoor fitness classes – Live Life Get Active offers daily boxing, cross-training and yoga at Seaford (Monday to Friday), while ) Onkaparinga Summer activations Pound in the Park (an outdoor fitness class with drum sticks at Christies Beach) and Sunset yoga (at Moana and Christies) are available until the end of February.
Fitness programs for youth, over 65s and people with disabilities are also on offer.
Save money
If you’re looking to slash your bills in 2020, head along to an Ask Me – I’m Green session with City of Onkaparinga Environmental Sustainability Officer, Tracy.
Tracy will be waiting to chat with you about ways to save money on your energy and water bills, as well as a range of other environmental topics, including what you can recycle, how to access environmental workshops, where to connect with nature in your area, nature play ideas and much more.
Learn something new
If you’re aged 8-25, there are a range of short courses, lessons and programs available via Onkaparinga Youth to teach you new skills.
There are sessions on art (including screen printing, public art and drawing), acting, photography, surfing, hip hop (breakdancing, rhyming and producing), barista skills and more, with prices ranging from free to $10. Check each course individually to see what age bracket it’s aimed at.
Onkaparinga Youth’s popular seven-week How to Adult crash course, covering skills many adults with they knew, is also returning from Tuesday 4 February.
If you’re under 30, Onkaparinga Youth Enterprise Hub (OYEH) offers free Open Art Studio sessions and a creative writing club to hone your skills.
Get out more
The City of Onkaparinga is filled with diverse destinations if your resolution is to break free of your routine to see and experience new things in 2020.
The McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast website offers some perfect tips on what’s new and some of the more unusual destinations in the region, as well as detailed guides on where to wine and dine.
There are also hints on where to stay if you’re planning a staycation, free things to do (from beaches, to trails, to family-friendly destinations), and what’s on.
The McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre is an invaluable first destination once you’ve hit the road, while the City of Onkaparinga website has a mammoth events directory to pencil dates in your calendar, including a range of Onkaparinga Summer pop-up activations.
Meet new people
Want to make new friends in 2020? There are a range of clubs, programs and activities on offer that’ll help you widen your social network.
If you’re aged 8-25, Onkaparinga’s youth centres and programs are a great place to meet likeminded people in a welcoming setting.
Onkaparinga’s six libraries offer programs for young and old where you’ll find new mates in abundance, and these havens should also be your go-to destinations if “reading more” is another of your 2020 resolutions (check out some top reads or find a book club).
For older residents, City of Onkaparinga’s positive ageing centres and initiatives, such as the Friendship Club, Kookaburra Club and Social Connections program, can be a gold mine for new friends.