News

June 11, 2019 | IN Media Release and News | BY Holly Brennan | 3 min read

Recent research by the Heart Foundation has put the spotlight on the importance of the outdoors, stating that simply being close to a park, open green space or walking path encourages active living which can lead to improved health outcomes and lower your rate of heart disease and stroke by up to 37 percent ^1.

This research comes as developers like AVID Property Group (AVID) look for ways to maximise the overall percentage of green and open space in their new, masterplanned communities.

AVID’s Brentwood Forest Bellbird Park community is prime example of this with their fondly named Brentwood Forest jewels, which feature 42 hectares of natural open space with state-of-the-art local parks, including their Tucker Family Park, and open spaces, all connected by a collection of walking paths.

One year on since opening the flagship Tucker Family Park, AVID Property Group Senior Development Manager Peter MacLeod said the park has become the activity hub of the community.

“The Tucker Family Park is a highlight of our community and encourages residents to incorporate activity into their everyday routine,” Mr MacLeod said.

“There is always someone there, in the 2,000 square metre dog off leash area or working out on the outdoor gym equipment.

“The beautiful Linear Pathway, which runs for almost one kilometre through the surrounding bushland, also inspires families to get outside and be active together, without making exercise feel like chore.

“So many Australians are caught in the habit of coming home and putting on the TV, so it’s fantastic we can offer families and individuals the opportunity to exercise and get outdoors to ultimately improve their health and kickstart new habits.”

Brentwood Forest resident Alison Clark and her family moved into Brentwood Forest six years ago and are still today enjoying the benefits of living a masterplanned community surrounded by parks.

“The main appeals of the Brentwood Forest community for our family were the parks and walkability of the neighbourhood,” Ms Clark said.

“Having young kids, it was important for us to live somewhere they could run around and play.

“Everything is so close, we can easily walk to the Rotary Park and Tucker Family Park from our home, often the kids will just get on their bikes and go — it’s a wonderful lifestyle.”

The Tucker Family Park was designed to encourage residents to get moving and to appeal to people of all ages, featuring a one-of-a-kind 9.2m play tower, outdoor gym, ‘kick-about’ field, two dog-off-leash areas, and connects to Brentwood Forest’s $1.2 million Forest Trail.

> Find out more about Brentwood Forest

^{1 http://www.healthyactivebydesign.com.au/design-features/public-open-spaces/evidence/}