1 December 2023 - event update
Haig Park’s 100th birthday celebration has been postponed until 2024 due to recent rainfall.
The park was inspected on Friday morning (1 Dec) after heavy rainfall overnight, with organisers advising the City Renewal Authority event is unfeasible due to waterlogged and muddy ground.
The party is now scheduled for 3 February 2024.
We look forward to celebrating Haig Park and its beautiful towering trees with you next year.
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29 November 2023 - original announcement
The Canberra community is invited to celebrate Haig Park’s 100th anniversary with a City Renewal Authority party this Saturday (2 December) featuring all-ages activities, market stalls and entertainment.
City Renewal Authority Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Snow said the party – Haig Park Turns 100: Let’s Party – is about honouring the park’s rich history and revelling in its exciting present.
“We invite you to come along to enjoy music, dance, food and festivities under the Haig Park’s beautiful towering trees,” Mr Snow said.
“Seven thousand of these trees were planted a century ago to create a 2km protective shelterbelt – a windbreak for the city. In recent years, Haig Park has evolved from an underutilised space into a beloved and accessible public park.
“From the weekly Haig Park Village Markets and regular events to the recently completed Salthouse Community Centre, Haig Park has become a welcoming shared backyard in our City Centre.”
Image: a recent event showcasing the kinds of creative activities attracting people of all ages to Haig Park.
The event will reflect Canberra’s diverse community and the breadth of people who use the park. Activities include:
Associate Professor Cathy Hope from the University of Canberra’s Faculty of Arts and Design says the 100th birthday party is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the strong community effort to revitalise the park.
“Haig Park has become a place for all Canberrans – whether you are going to the markets, walking your dog, reading under a tree or having a picnic with friends,” Dr Hope said.
“This evolution has been achieved through community-led art, music, dance and play activities, which have created immersive experiences and enabled people to see the park in a different way.
“So, this weekend’s celebration is not just about the beautiful and peaceful park, but the community that has brought it to life.”
Image: a recent event showing how Haig Park has become a place for all Canberrans.
Dr Hope led the delivery of the six-month Haig Park Experiments in 2019 – a City Renewal Authority initiative featuring events and installations to improve community attitudes towards the park.
Haig Park Turns 100: Let’s Party will take place from 11am-4pm on Saturday 2 December in Haig Park. More event information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2966266226842447
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
