Fully vaccinated? Enjoy a picnic at one of our wonderful parks!

Spring has well and truly sprung and the team at Cessnock City Council are encouraging fully vaccinated locals to take advantage of the new rules and enjoy a COVID-safe picnic in one of our many wonderful parks.

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Fully vaccinated adults (that’s two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine) are now able to attend an outdoor gathering of up to five people (not including children under 12) in a public place.

If you are not yet fully vaccinated, you can still gather in local parks with one other person who you don’t live with, or your nominated visitor in the ‘singles bubble’. If you live with more than two people, you can also go out together for exercise or outdoor recreation in our local parks.

These outdoor gatherings must occur within your Local Government Area (LGA) or within 5km of your home and as long as you’re following Public Health Orders, there is no time limit on catching up with your loved ones in this way.

The Cessnock LGA is home to beautiful National Parklands and 54 Council-managed parks, 42 of which have playgrounds and additional facilities.

Cessnock’s 42 playgrounds have a wide range of fun equipment for kids of all ages. Council is also proud to have three inclusive and accessible playgrounds for all ages and abilities, including Veteran’s Memorial Park in Aberdare, Bridges Hill Park in Cessnock and Maybury Peace Park in Weston.

While public toilets and BBQ facilities were closed for a period during lockdown, these facilities are now open and ready for residents to utilise.

Cessnock City Council’s General Manager, Lotta Jackson, is encouraging fully vaccinated residents to get out and enjoy the warmer weather in our local parks.

“The current lockdown restrictions have had a huge impact on our local residents, but it is amazing what fresh air, sunshine and catching up with loved ones can do for our mental health, and our local parks are a great place to do just that.”

“Local businesses are also struggling at the moment, so I also encourage people to consider picking up a takeaway coffee or bite to eat from a local restaurant for their picnic. We need to support each other in these uncertain times,” added Lotta.

Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent, agreed and said how lucky we are to live where we do, with an abundance of open space.

“Our local parks are something I am so proud of and the Open Space and Community Facilities team do an exceptional job of maintaining our parks for our community to enjoy,” said Cr Pynsent.

Need some inspiration on which parks to visit? A list of local parks and facilities can be found on Council’s website at www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/Parks