The city of Adelaide is encouraging children in the South Australian capital to let their imaginations run really wild and get involved with a little park planning at the same time.

The city is reaching out to kids in their own (virtual) backyard by asking them to begin shaping their designs using everyone’s favourite pixel based sandbox gaming environment – Minecraft. What’s more, the tantalising prospect gives children a chance to see their most creative ideas being used within the redesigns and upgrades of the national parks themselves.

The competition has come into being on the back of a governmental pledge of $10.4 million AUD for the overhaul of these much loved and well-used national parks. This, combined with the Natural Resource organisation’s readiness to involve locals in an effort to foster greater community engagement, means that children in the area will benefit from an unprecedented opportunity to shape the world around them – using fun and familiar tools that allow them to reimagine their natural environment.

From block building to bushwalking

With open invitations to grades four, five and six, school children from across the city are optimistic that it will be their designs that are chosen, with the eventual winners also enjoying a full day excursion to the Belair National Park with their school class. Suggestions include bushwalking trails, natural play spaces, geocaches, camp sites, scenic outcrops and any other interesting, inventive or even insane ideas that budding landscapers wish to include.

A series of open days running until May 31st that are on offer to provide a little inspiration and help to get a feel for the facilities already on offer within Adelaide’s wonderful national parks. With plenty of tours and excursions available, children and adults alike have the opportunity to experience the diverse flora and fauna that must also be considered when designing these shared natural and manmade spaces.

Download the mobile version of Minecraft over at Browsergamez.com and get the kids stacking those virtual blocks before Friday 12th of June to be in with a chance to win.

Entry forms are available from the Natural Resource organisation’s website along with plenty more information relating to Adelaide’s national parks and their facilities. Start building your perfect national park today.

IMAGE: Via Flickr Minecraft After School Kevin Jarrett CC by 2.0 Creative Commons