Love Hobart's open spaces? Tell us why

Published on 15 March 2024

The City of Hobart has launched a competition to find out what people love about its green open spaces and how they could be improved - parks, gardens, bushland reserves, cycling and walking tracks, and even city pocket parks.

The City of Hobart is also running a photo competition to see Hobart's favourite green open spaces as captured by our community where there are some great prizes to win.

Those completing the survey and entering the photo competition have a chance to win some great prizes including free passes to the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre, a Dorney House tour, a guided Nocturnal Bush Walk and more.

"So many people in Hobart have a green open space they return to again and again for a run, a walk, to play, spend time in the bush or to read a book under the shade of a tree," Healthy Hobart Portfolio Chair Councillor Will Coats said.

"We turn to these places for sport, rest and recuperation, to spend time with family, including a walk with the family dog, or even just to grab some quiet time during busy workdays.

"We want to find out which open spaces are important to the people of Hobart and understand why and then listen to how they'd like to see them improved."

Hobart’s Legacy Park is an example of one much loved area.

It is used for dog training at the adjacent oval, while the community bake days have become a family favourite for many Hobart residents.

Tasmanian Dog Walking Association Inc organises two social dog walks per month in the Greater Hobart area and enjoys the range of walks available in the City of Hobart municipal area.

President Tanzi Lewis said the walks are designed so explore interesting places.

“Hobart has it all – heritage parks, bushland reserves, linear parks, beaches and we appreciate being able to exercise dogs on sports fields when organised sport is not being played,” said Ms Lewis (pictured with her dog Abby).

“Choosing a favourite walk in Hobart isn’t easy due to the variety of parks, tracks and trails.

"Selecting a favourite park could be influenced by proximity to home, walking ability and interests.

“The Hobart Dog Walking Association believes dog owners should have access to off-lead exercise areas within 15 minutes’ walk of where the dog resides.

“Mind you, we believe all community members need easy access to parks. Parks are important for all people’s health and wellbeing and community life.”

As a demonstration of the community benefits of such open spaces, the City of Hobart will be hosting a Picnic in the Park this Sunday, with the pizza ovens in full operation, as well as face painting, a puppet show and puppet craft, food trucks and live music.

The picnic will run from 11.30am to 7pm. Cr Coats said finding out from the people who use Hobart's open spaces how they could be improved will help inform better planning for Hobart’s parks, gardens and other open spaces.

"Your favourite place could be the Train Park, a fabulous park in which to spend time with your family, or it might be a stroll along the Hobart Rivulet looking for the elusive platypus," Cr Coats said.

"We want to hear from as many people as possible, including, but not limited to our city workers who might take their lunch breaks in one of our parks to our Hobart bushwalkers, trail runners and dog walkers.

"There are great prizes on offer as part of our competition to encourage participation and ultimately feedback and we can't wait to hear people's stories about what draws them to their special open space in Hobart."

The competition is open until 24 March 2024. To enter the competition and share your stories and photographs about what you love about Hobart's open spaces simply fill out the survey at here.