Play Streets program celebrates Neighbour Day social connections

On 27 March communities all over Onkaparinga will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Neighbour Day.

Neighbour Day shines a spotlight on how social connection and building connected communities can prevent isolation and loneliness. Residents who get involved in Neighbour Day activities report improvements to mental health and wellbeing and a sense of belonging.

Council provides an opportunity to extend that feeling of community connection all year round through their Onkaparinga Neighbourhood Play Streets initiative. A collaboration with Play Australia to support their 1000 Play Streets vision has resulted in quiet residential streets across our city being reclaimed as places for neighbours of all ages to connect and play.

Your street, if suitable, can be turned into a Play Street and council will work with you in planning your session by taking care of the necessary permits and insurances, arranging traffic management plans and helping ensure the sessions meet COVID-safe practices.

Sessions run for around two hours and include the use of council’s sporting equipment library including bats, balls, hula hoops and skipping ropes.

Playstreets was first supported last year with a Wellbeing SA ‘Open Your World” grant and remains an ongoing offering for Onkaparinga residents. Council currently requires a 12-week notice time frame to process appropriate approvals for your Play Street event.

If you are interested in leading a Play Street to get to know all the neighbours in your street and provide new friendship opportunities for your kids visit the website to see if your street qualifies and follow #100playstreets and @PlayAustralia on social media.

 For more information email Leeza Peters or phone 0401 104 780.