Drinking water daily is a healthy choice all of us can make, and now it’s become an option everyone can enjoy at five parks in the Puketāpapa Local Board area.
New drinking fountains have been installed at the local Three Kings Reserve, Waikowhai Park, Margaret Griffin Reserve, Monte Cecilia Reserve and Wairaki Stream Reserve.
Making healthier living more accessible for local people has been a big focus for the local board and this is another step along the way to achieving that goal.
“We know that people love our local parks and open spaces. One of the most common requests has been for more water fountains, particularly for Monte Cecilia and along the Waikōwhai Walkway,” says Deputy Chair Jon Turner.
The installations stem from the 2019 ‘Strategic Health and Wellbeing Framework for Puketāpapa’, endorsed by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service and addressing the main issues that impact people’s health.
That was followed by Healthy Puketāpapa – A Health and Wellbeing Action Plan, which identified ways to achieve good health and wellbeing in the area through action and collaboration. Providing access to wai (water) as the number one and easiest choice of drink was the plan’s first priority.
“The Healthy Puketāpapa vision focuses on environmental and system changes that support an improvement in health and wellbeing,” adds Jon Turner.
“By increasing access to water, we can reduce plastic waste, improve health, and make it easier for whanau to enjoy our parks.”
Read more about the Healthy Puketāpapa – A Health and Wellbeing Action Plan [PDF].
