Green-fingered
communities across England can bid for a share of £1 million fund to help
develop their own ‘pocket parks’.
Pocket parks are
small plots of land, often about the size of a tennis court, and mostly seen in
urban spaces. They provide a green oasis which can help improve the physical
and mental health of the communities using them.
Existing pocket
parks are used for everything from a quiet escape from busy city life to
physical exercise, growing vegetables, children’s play and community events.
Parks and Green
Spaces Minister Rishi Sunak MP said: "Green spaces offer people a
sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of life to relax, keep healthy, learn
about nature or spend time together with loved ones.
"Not all
communities enjoy access to an abundance of usable space, while some existing
parks might need a bit of TLC to bring them back to life. The pocket parks plus
fund will help local people to create and maintain small oases that they can
take pride in and benefit from for years to come."
The Ministry of
Housing, Communities and Local Government welcomes grant applications for the
creation of innovative as well as traditional pocket parks.
The first PocketParks programme was launched in February 2016. Pocket parks are defined for
this programme as a piece of land of up to 0.4 hectares, although many are
around 0.02 hectares – the size of a tennis court.
Each pocket park
will be an individual space tailored to the needs of the local area by the
community group which has applied for the grant.
To apply, readthe prospectus and download an application form. Return the completed form
to pocketparkplus@communities.gov.uk.
Applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 25 January 2019.
