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A new competition has been launched for school children to help bring their dream park plans to life by using their creativity. Open to school communities across Australia, the national competition, My Park Rules, requires participants to re-imagine their local parks and green spaces in the hope of leaving a green legacy for future generations. 

Launched on 14 October, My Park Rules has been created in collaboration with 202020 Vision and Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) to encourage school groups and community clubs to submit their under-loved park for a chance to be transformed for a greener future. A finalist will be chosen from the shortlisted submissions, with the selected idea to be transformed into a well-designed green space by a landscape architect as imagined by the participants.

State finalists will be announced by a panel of high-profile judges, including Lucy Turnbull AO, on December 10, 2015.

According to Lucy Turnbull AO, encouraging school children to use their creativity and passion to imagine a better place is not only fun, exciting and empowering but also teaches them that they have the ability to imagine, shape and create their own futures. 

AILA CEO Shahana McKenzie explains that the competition is not just about transforming one space in one school but about getting schools and communities in Australia to rally together and seriously consider the importance of well-designed outdoor spaces for their wellbeing, today and in the future. 

Phillip Spratt, President of Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACCSO) comments that well-designed green spaces in schools give kids a real connection to the environment they live in and the community that supports their learning. He adds that My Park Rules presents a great opportunity for any school and its community to work together and create a lasting legacy for their school. Investing in green spaces additionally will contribute towards alleviating the escalating health costs, climate change and workplace productivity issues in Australia. 

More information about the competition and submission process can be accessed on the My Park Rules website.