Council staff members attended the function in Kiama and were shocked to have beaten other parks from across the state at the Parks and Leisure Australia Conference.

“We didn't know until the night we were actually in the running,” Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council parks manager Tim Geyer said.

“We put the nomination in a couple of months ago and we hadn't heard a single thing, we didn't know if they received it.”

The win qualified the park for the national competition, which will be awarded in October.

At last week’s council meeting, administrator Tim Overall announced shade cloth would be included at the Queen Elizabeth Park.

Over the past few months, members of the community have been critical of the park for not offering children protection from the sun. 

Mr Geyer confirmed it would be included in the new financial year.

"Like any park, it will continue to grow,” he said.

Mr Geyer was joined at the ceremony in Kiama by the park’s project officer Debbie Sibbick and horticulturist Sean Caden.