Over 40 unloved,
neglected or derelict urban spaces across the country will be transformed into
new green spaces for the whole community to use, Parks and Green Spaces
Minister Rishi Sunak MP has confirmed.
In addition, through
the £3.75 Pocket Parks Plus programme over 150 community-led groups from Alton
in Hampshire to Widnes in Cumbria will receive funding to help bring parks that
have fallen into disrepair back into use.
Parks and Green
Spaces Minister Rishi Sunak MP said: "Parks and green spaces – no matter
what size – are huge assets to our towns and cities and offer us all
opportunities to relax, socialise, exercise and play.
"From grabbing
a quick break from the pressures of everyday life, to walking the dog, parks
offer a place to get close to nature, engage with their communities and can
help people overcome social isolation.
"From the
creation of valuable new green spots to the day-to-day upkeep of public places,
the Pocket Parks Plus Programme gives local leaders and their communities the
means to better maintain, protect and enhance their treasured green
spaces."
Among the successful
schemes to be funded are:
- Warwick Place Play Area, a
play area in Tewkesbury which has been awarded £23,500 to remove
dilapidated equipment and install new structures, ensuring children with
disabilities are able to play alongside their able-bodied peers.
- A new nature trail and
wildflower meadow in Baildon, Bradford, which will add beauty and green
space to the local area.
- Flood Meadows in Alton,
Hampshire – led by Amery Hill Residents Association, the £25,000 awarded
will allow them to make their stretch of the River Wey more accessible,
including the creation of a new pathway to encourage community access, a
platform made of recycled plastic where children can take part in
educational pond dipping sessions, and protection of the local riverbank.
The announcement
also includes the allocations of the £9.7 million funding to local authorities
to enhance the resources they need to maintain and boost recreational spaces.
The government is
committed to creating more places for people to live, work and enjoy the
benefits that parks and green spaces bring to local life. In addition to the
Pocket Parks Plus Programme we’ve recently:
- Awarded £9.7 million of new
funding to local authorities giving them the resources they need to better
maintain, protect and increase their recreational spaces.
- Awarded over a million pounds
to the National Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Future
Parks Accelerator initiative to test new and innovative approaches to
managing and funding parks.
But we need to do
more to make sure future generations continue to enjoy their benefits.
The government will
continue to work with the Parks Action Group, which represents leaders from
across the parks sector and we’re providing support funding for community
empowerment programmes, professional development for the parks workforce and
alternative park management models to ensure our parks are fit for the 21st
century.
It also extended the
Green Flag Award licence in 2017 by a further 5 years meaning the people behind
Britain’s best parks and green spaces will continue to be recognised and
awarded for their tireless dedication.
