Heritage Lottery Fund say public parks are under threat

A massive 86% of public park managers say they have seen their budgets cut since 2010, and they expect the trend to continue over the coming years. The findings come from a report by the Heritage Lottery Fund that reveals the growing risk that could see parks become run down ‘no go areas’ or even sold. The organisation's State of UK Public Parks 2014: Renaissance to risk?, is the first report to comprehensively review the condition and management of the UK’s public parks. And while two decades of public and Lottery investment has ensured that the majority of UK parks are in better condition, unless future funding is generated in new ways, parks are at serious risk of rapid decline and even being sold off and lost to the public forever. Dame Jenny Abramsky, chair of HLF, said: "This report makes for sobering reading. Parks are highly valued, precious places that are vital to our physical and emotional well-being. "Following decades of decline, Lottery funding sparked a parks renaissance but that is now at risk. We realise these are financially tough times and that is why we need collaborative action and a fresh approach to halt this threat of decline and stop this cycle of boom and bust. "Our parks are far too important not to act now." Alongside park managers fearing for the future of their green spaces, the report also found that 45% of local authorities are considering either selling parks and green spaces or transferring their management to others. In addition to calling for continued investment by local authorities, HLF’s report highlights the need to develop new ways of looking after and funding parks. It highlights five key areas needing urgent joint action to ensure past investment is not wasted. HLF: http://www.hlf.org.uk/news/Pages/StateUKParks.aspx#.U6vNWtoaySM

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Heritage Lottery Fund say public parks are under threat

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