FIELDS IN TRUST
By Alison McCann Policy manager, Fields in Trust
IT PAYS TO PROTECT PARKS
A new report commissioned by Fields in Trust reveals the benefits of our parks and green spaces – both to the economy and our wellbeing
T
here has been much concern in recent years about the need to balance crucial investment in parks and green spaces with the challenge of diminishing maintenance budgets. There are fears that a downward spiral of reduced maintenance could lead to poorer quality facilities, resulting in less frequent usage and increasing the likelihood of the disposal of green spaces for housing or commercial development. Yet rather than being a drain on limited resources, new research commissioned by Fields in Trust shows that parks and green spaces actually deliver over £34 billion of health and wellbeing benefits to UK residents each year. This represents greater life satisfaction and improved physical and mental health, directly from regular use of parks and green spaces. Fields in Trust is an independent charity; since 1925 it has protected parks and green spaces in perpetuity and currently protects 2,809 spaces across the UK. It works with
“Our research shows what we all intuitively know: green spaces are good – they do good and they should be protected for good” 28 THE GROUNDSMAN February 2019
landowners, community groups and policy makers to champion the value of our parks and green spaces at both local and national level, and through a legal agreement with landowners it ensures parks and green spaces are secured for community play, sport and recreation – in perpetuity.
FINANCIAL PRESSURE
There is a public perception that our parks and green spaces will always be there, but as a non-statutory service, parks and green spaces are increasingly under financial pressure. Fields in Trust took the view that it is important to evaluate the impact of our work and provide a robust evidential basis for what we do. Our new research shows what we all intuitively know: green spaces are good – they do good and they should be protected for good. We need to provide solid evidence to demonstrate this to policymakers and politicians, so our research was compiled using HM Treasury-approved methodology. As well as quantifying over £34 billion of value to people’s wellbeing the report, Revaluing Parks and Green Spaces, demonstrates secondary cost savings of at least £111 million per year for the NHS, just on prevented GP visits from those who