Greater Shepparton City Council’s Activities in the Park program is entering its 15th year after delivering more than 2,465 activities and recording almost 120,000 attendees across the municipality.
Since beginning in 2012, Activities in the Park has grown from around 10 activities into a year-round program offering free and low-cost experiences for people of all ages and abilities.
To mark the milestone, Council is inviting residents and visitors to enjoy free family activities at KidsTown Adventure Playground in Mooroopna on Saturday 5 September 2026 from 10am to 1pm.
Families can take part in Gymnastics Adventure from 10am to 12pm and meet friendly farm animals from 10am to 1pm. Bookings are not required. For full event details, visit shepp.city/aitp15.
The KidsTown celebration forms part of the Spring 2026 program, which is now available. It features more than 45 free and low-cost activities and events running from September to November across Greater Shepparton.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali said the program’s strong participation showed the value of offering affordable activities close to home.
“Almost 120,000 attendees since 2012 shows how strongly our community has embraced Activities in the Park,” he said.
“By bringing free and low-cost activities into parks and public spaces, the program gives people of all ages and abilities a simple way to stay active, healthy and connected,”
“Without the ongoing support and contributions from local sporting clubs, community groups, facilitators and Council staff, the program would not be what it is today.”
Activities in the Park began as a joint initiative between Council and Parks Victoria. It built on smaller community activities including Twilight Strolls, Summer Stroll Series, pedometer challenge and walk and ride to work and school events.
Funding through Parks Victoria’s Healthy Parks Healthy People program gave Council an opportunity to build on these events and activate more parks across Greater Shepparton.
Council’s Active Living team established Activities in the Park in 2012 as part of the Get Mooving Greater Shepparton initiative.
Council’s Manager Emergency Management and Resilience, Belinda Conna, who was involved during the program’s early years, said the goal was to make local parks easier for people to enjoy.
“We wanted to use the parks, reserves, pools, playgrounds and other community spaces people already had in their neighbourhoods and give them more reasons to visit,” she said.
“It was about creating free and low-cost activities that are welcoming and easy to join, no matter your location, age, ability or previous experience.”
The first year included around 10 activities such as yoga in the park, kite making and volleyball. Council staff planned and delivered the early activities.
With further funding, the program expanded to around 75 events delivered over six months. Support from the People and Parks Foundation, Unilever and Tatura Milk also helped Council offer more free and low-cost activities.
As Activities in the Park grew, events expanded across Shepparton, Mooroopna and smaller towns.
Council also began working with local sporting clubs, community groups and facilitators to bring more activities and skills into the program.
Former Activities in the Park coordinator and facilitator, Carmen Nicholson, said the support of these local groups helped the program grow.
“The first year included around 10 activities and from there it just grew,” she said.
“Our smaller towns were a big part of the program. There was so much appreciation for having activities such as kite making in Merrigum and yoga in Tatura close to home.”
“The program could not have happened without Parks Victoria helping get it off the ground and the local clubs and facilitators who brought it to life.”
In 2025/26, Activities in the Park delivered 261 activities and recorded 12,029 attendances. The program reached 15 smaller towns with support from Council’s casual staff, 12 partners and various external facilitators.
What began as a six-month program has grown into seasonal programs delivered throughout the year.
