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Parks account for 20% of
THEIR benefits of providing opportunities
the developed land area in
for nature conservation, encouraging a
the UK, with over half of
more diverse landscape, stimulating
interest in the environment, mitigating the
the population making an
urban heat island effect, and providing
estimated 2.5 billion visits
valuable flood storage areas are
each year. But despite recognised. But unfortunately there is a
their popularity, public
public perception that certain parks should
parks and green spaces
be avoided due to anti-social behaviour and
are in decline and are
institutional neglect. This neglect is of
serious concern and reflects badly on
failing to play their proper
national and local governance.
role in contributing to the
CIWEM regrets the low priority that is
quality of the urban attached to public parks and green spaces
infrastructure and helping
by Government and decision-makers. We
to mitigate the effects of
believe this is due to the absence of a
climate change, says
dedicated national agency that could
provide strategic support, advice and
NICK REEVES, executive
funding over a guaranteed timescale in the
director of the Chartered
same way that public bodies do for sport,
Institution of Water and recreation and the arts.
Environmental
Assessment
Management. Public parks and green spaces should be
at the centre of policies for tackling climate
change, urban renewal, sustainable
Neglect
development and social cohesion. The
Government should recognise the
importance of public parks by making
specific reference to them in developing
of parks
and assessing the spending plans of local
authorities.
CIWEM wishes to see a broad
must
spectrum of stakeholders involved in the
maintenance in order to foster community
stewardship; the reinstatement of site-
based staff; a dedicated professional body
to encourage continuing professional
development; and strong partnerships
stop
between organisations such as water
companies, environment agencies and
local authorities. We would also like to see
universal local authority participation in the
Green Flag Awards Scheme which would
be used to measure of the quality of green
space provision throughout the UK.
Many Government priorities for
there is
sustainable living and safer
communities depend on
a public
good quality, accessible
perception
green spaces. Public parks
encourage strong
that certain community identities
parks should
through social interaction
and have the ability to
be avoided due
foster public spiritedness.
to anti-social
They are one of the few
public services that cut
behaviour and
across social, financial,
institutional
cultural and ethnic barriers.
neglect
They epitomise the
concept of social inclusion.
National, regional and local government
must take whatever actions are necessary
to improve the status, condition and
resourcing of these essential areas. a73
November 2008 building forleisure 11
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