Online forum: have your say
SPARC has launched an online forum to provide information and seek input on the development of an Outdoor Recreation Research Agenda (the Research Agenda).
The Research Agenda will support the implementation of the Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2009-2015.
The forum will be open for six weeks from 26 July to early September. The forum is likely to be re-opened later in the year to seek further comment on the draft agenda.
Read more about the development of the Research Agenda and the access the forum.
Recreation includes a range of leisure, cultural or sporting activities, undertaken in natural, heritage, rural and urban open space and outdoors.
It offers New Zealanders opportunities for improved mental and physical wellbeing, education gains, social development, economic prospects (employment, business investment, marketing opportunities), building national identity and understanding our environment.
Recreation offers value to all parts of our communities at all stages of life.
Recreation is one of SPARC’s five key priorities under the SPARC Strategic Plan 2009-2015 - We want a healthy, sustainable and co-ordinated recreation sector delivering quality opportunities that get more New Zealanders participating.
New Zealand is blessed with many beautiful and accessible natural resources. Many of them, are very close to our own backyards. For this reason SPARC recognises outdoor recreation as a priority to focus resources and investment.
SPARC is guided by the Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2009-2015. The Strategy recognises the contribution that outdoor recreation makes to the nation’s health and wellbeing, and social, education, conservation, cultural, environment and economic outcomes, especially when large numbers of people participate in the many and varied activities available across the full spectrum of outdoor recreation settings.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Recreation Council plays a crucial role in advising SPARC on strategic investment decisions relating to outdoor recreation.