In 2020 and 2021 council asked you for your ideas for the re-design of the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre upgrade.

Council's goal is for a centre that:

• is an interactive space
• has environmental themes relevant to life in Ipswich
• is for all ages and abilities

We have now reviewed your ideas together with the environmental education review. This has helped to shape upgrades for the Queens Park Environmental Centre upgrade, which we are excited to confirm are now completed.

Some of the upgrades you will see during your next visit to the Centre include:

• Updates to the content on the walls in the front and back rooms, with information about the local environment and what residents can do to help protect our natural spaces and improve sustainability
• A range of materials that can be enjoyed by our smallest members of the public, including interactive and play based activities
• Updated opening hours to 9am - 2pm Tuesday - Saturday (and Monday during school holidays) which better align with the opening hours of the Nature Centre
• A new staffing model to ensure the Centre is open when expected
• A range of exciting new programming, including major exhibits during Spark, adult workshops and children’s activities
• Updated audio-visual equipment, allowing us to showcase relevant content in a flexible theatre style space
• An update to our school’s excursion program so that all booked schools receive a guided educational experience at the Nature Centre, and an informative talk with a staff member at the Centre. A new excursion guide has also been developed to support schools with their visit.
• Changes to the flooring and centre spaces to make it more fit for purpose

We hope you enjoy these new upgrades to the Queens Park Environmental Centre. Take a sneak peak of the upgrades in the images below.