Our Parks and Gardens Team have made significant progress in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. There are still areas with fallen trees, debris, and vegetation to be cleared. We will continue our cleanup efforts and kindly ask visitors to exercise caution when visiting these areas. We apologise for any disruption caused and wish to pass on our thanks for your ongoing patience and understanding.
To find a park and view its status, visit Council's Find a park page.
Get back to nature and enjoy our parks, gardens and open spaces. They:
- help to improve health and well-being
- protect our natural and cultural heritage
- are a great tourism asset.
Organise a picnic with family and friends, play sport, socialise, walk and cycle.
Our parks also host a range of events and festivals. Other uses include:
Maintenance Playgrounds Memorials/ashes Park naming Public access
Maintaining parks and gardens
We maintain more than 400 parks across the Tweed, with 1,556 hectares of open space to take care of. Watch the video below to find out more and see our outdoor workers in action.
Park mowing
Mowing takes place on a schedule (a booking does not mean the area will be mowed).
Balloon ban in parks and sports fields
Find out more about the ban on balloons in parks and sports fields.
Playgrounds
Use our park finder tool to search for a playground.
If you have any concerns about play equipment in one of Council's parks, contact us.
Requests for shade over playgrounds
A number of shade structures have been tested without much success. They come loose and tear in strong wind and have been vandalised.
Shade is considered in the design of new playgrounds, with extensive planting of shade trees (it takes time before they provide full shade).
Memorial plaques and seats
Council receives many requests for plaques in areas of significance to lost friends and loved ones.
We understand the wish to remember people at places of significance to them, but it is not appropriate to have lots of individual memorials placed in our public reserves and parks.
To find out more, download our Policy – Private Memorials in Public Parks and Natural Areas(PDF, 236KB)
Council removes unapproved memorials.
Scattering of ashes
This practice is allowed in the Tweed. Please make sure the general public are not affected by ashes being scattered (be mindful of wind direction). Do not scatter near swimmers or beach users.
Naming of parks and gardens
Requests to name a Council park should be made in writing.
See Naming of Council Public Parks and Sportsfields(PDF, 127KB)
Access on or through public land
Council does not approve regular access through parks for the purpose of garaging vehicles and boats.
However, Council may allow temporary access to help property owners with deliveries (building materials, landscaping) or similar circumstances. You must have approvals in place before making any arrangements. Park keys will not be provided under any circumstances.
Please submit a request for temporary access to Council land at least 10 working days before access is needed. Submitting a request means you agree to the conditions (and any special conditions). An approval will be issued listing the conditions for access.
Helicopter landings
Council does not allow helicopter landings on public open space in the Tweed, including parks, beaches and sportsfields.
Landings may be considered for:
- approved community events
- filming activities
- Council operations
- emergency services.
Private, recreational and business requests will not be approved.