Stockland Townsville to pilot city first parklet with free activities and entertainment on Thursday
Stockland, with support from co-owners the AMP Capital Shopping Centre Fund, have formed a working group with a number of local organisations to trial a ‘parklet’ activation on Thursday 26 September, with free fun and entertainment for the entire family. The Aitkenvale community and beyond is encouraged to come participate and share their feedback on the concept as a way of activating a currently vacant space.
From 12pm to 8pm at the former Westpac Building, the carpark will come alive with activations including basketball competitions, table tennis, oversized connect four, giant Jenga, a coffee cart and live music from local artists Harry Griffin and The Funny Jims.
Headspace will also be there to offer additional activities such as yard games and a laid back bean bag lounge, and those who provide feedback on the parklet will have the choice of free fairy floss, popcorn or snow cones, and may enter a draw for a chance to win a $200 Stockland gift card.
Made popular in San Francisco, parklets are designed as a public place for passersby to relax and enjoy the atmosphere and amenities at hand.
Retail Asset Manager Craig Piper said that Stockland has been working with several local organisations since early June and is looking forward to piloting the parklet this week and hearing what the community thinks about the idea.
“The working group came up with the idea of a ‘parklet’ as a potential ongoing use of some of the vacant space in the centre’s precinct, and thought this trial would be a great way to test the concept with the community and potentially implement it over a longer period of time.
“We want to make sure Stockland Townsville is a place that everyone can go to socialise, connect and feel like they belong, and this is just one of the many ways we’re facilitating experiences for our customers.
“We look forward to hearing from the residents of Aitkenvale their thoughts on the parklet and what else they would like to see in the community going forward.”
Sergeant Jason Hancock of Queensland Police Service said: “QPS actively liaised with community stakeholders and external agencies in the planning of this community engagement event. QPS participation is vital to determining possible solutions to youth crime in the Aitkenvale precinct and to make our community a safer and more enjoyable place to be.”
With support from Townsville Stronger Communities Action Group and Queensland Police Service – and in consultation with community groups – the trial parklet is just one of the ways that Stockland is breathing new life into the centre precinct at Aitkenvale.
Mr Piper added: “We’re also giving locals creative license to revamp the former Westpac Building by contributing to a community blackboard and aerosol street art during the event, with a local professional street artist Shane Keen guiding the art installation on Thursday.”
Taking into account community feedback on the trial Thursday, Stockland and AMP Capital may pilot the parklet longer term with a set program of events which could include night markets, open mic nights, live music and more.
“We are the leading retail town centre in the city,” Mr Piper continued. “This is a place where people of all kinds come to shop and socialise. We want to offer even more spaces to spend time with friends and family in a fun and relaxing environment.”
ENDS
Note to Editor:
Stockland Townsville is the leading centre located in the geographic heart of Townsville and houses the region’s only full-line Myer department store and full-line H&M. The retail precinct includes the Townsville and Nathan Street centres, featuring Woolworths and Big W in the main centre and Coles and Kmart in the Nathan Street centre.
Stockland Townsville is jointly owned by Stockland and the AMP Capital Shopping Centre Fund.