FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CELEBRATION STEPS


Why was Centennial Parklands Foundation founded?
What is the purpose of the Foundation?
Isn’t Centennial Parklands funded by the Government?
What do you rely on fundraising for?
Who donates to the Foundation?
What was the idea behind The Celebration Steps?
A personalised engraved paver at The Celebration Steps is $500. Why?
I love the idea but it’s not financially possible for me.
Why a ten-year guarantee?
Where will my donation go?
What projects and programs does the Foundation fund?

WHY WAS CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS FOUNDATION FOUNDED?

Centennial Parklands Foundation was established in 1998 to raise funds and awareness to help support the three magnificent parks that make up Centennial Parklands – Centennial Park, Moore Park and Queens Park.

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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDATION?

Its purpose is to ensure Centennial Parklands are enjoyed now and by future generations.

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ISN’T CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT?

Many are under the misapprehension that Centennial Parklands is a form of local council-run Park, and funded accordingly. It is not. The day to day management of the Parklands is reliant on commercial activities to keep this magnificent green space thriving, safe and accessible.

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WHAT DO YOU RELY ON FUNDRAISING FOR?

The Foundation raises funds for community projects that are not revenue based but enhance the community’s experience when visiting the Parklands.

Our greatest fundraising challenge is awareness and creating a point of difference.

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WHO DONATES TO THE FOUNDATION?

Donations come from all walks of life, from park lovers to philanthropists to children donating their pocket money. Grant funding is also sought from private philanthropic foundations, corporate entities and Government.

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WHAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND THE CELEBRATION STEPS?

People want to give back to the Parklands that they love. Many have expressed the desire for an area of reflection where they can acknowledge their important contributions to the conservation of the Parklands.

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A PERSONALISED ENGRAVED PAVER AT THE CELEBRATION STEPS IS $500. WHY?

The Foundation worked with members of the community to ensure the program was accessible to a broad range of people who love the Parklands.

As with any charitable donation, not everyone will be able to contribute. When people who have a strong connection with the Parklands were told the scope of the project and given further information regarding where their donation would go, most agreed that this was a realistic and fair figure.

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I LOVE THE IDEA BUT IT’S NOT FINANCIALLY POSSIBLE FOR ME.

Some have expressed their disappointment that they cannot afford to donate $500 for a paver. Even if this is the case, we hope you will visit The Celebration Steps – they are for everyone to enjoy for years to come.

Some park lovers have pooled resources with friends and family to be part of The Celebration Steps project. Some have told us that their family have come together to give as a present for a family member. Others simply love the idea of The Celebration Steps even though they cannot contribute.

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WHY A TEN-YEAR GUARANTEE?

We have no intention of removing or changing the pavers after 10 years. We hope that The Celebration Steps will be there for many years to come – however nature is unpredictable. We will do our utmost to ensure the longevity of the area.

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WHERE WILL MY DONATION GO?

As well as covering the manufacture, installation and maintenance of The Celebration Steps, it will allow the Foundation to fund projects and programs across the Parklands.

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WHAT PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS DOES THE FOUNDATION FUND?

Centennial Parklands Foundation has contributed to and enabled a whole variety of projects and programs within the three magnificent parks of Centennial Parklands. They include:

The Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden
Sydney's first dedicated children's WILD PLAY garden will provide a safe, engaging space for children aged 2-12 years to explore, learn and connect with the natural environment. Children have given us their pocket money at events because they want to be a part of this amazing WILD PLAY Garden.

Centennial Parklands Environment Officer and Environmental Management System
This vital role is responsible for supervising and coordinating environmental operations and initiatives, including noxious weed and aquatic vegetation management, water management including water quality testing, waste management, power management, coordinating research applications and monitoring environmental issues.

Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub
The Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS) is a nationally and state-listed Endangered Ecological scrub and heath vegetation community. It originally covered over 5,300 hectares, however today there is less than 145 hectares (a loss of over 97%). Centennial Parklands Foundation assists in the conservation and restoration of the ESBS.

Centennial Parklands Access Pass Program
This provides outdoor learning opportunities for students who would not normally get to participate in an excursion program. Students from low economic areas or students from rural schools engage in a program which aims to give students a taste of the academic and professional science fields of which they may have had no exposure or understanding of.

Centennial Park Labyrinth
Centennial Park is now home to Sydney's first public sandstone labyrinth. This free public facility would not have been possible without the involvement of Centennial Parklands Foundation and the support of the community.

To find out more about this great opportunity to create your own special place in Centennial Park, contact us on (02) 9339 6653 or [email protected].