Some concerning news emerged on Saturday with the publication of the Communities and Local Government Committee's (CLG) cross party report on the inquiry into public parks.
The MP’s who published the report have warned that parks are at 'tipping point' with budgets to maintain them cut by up to 97% in some parts of the country.
This slashing of funding means that some parks are facing a return to the bad-old-days of the neglect of the 80s and 90s unless their value to the community is recognised and new and improved management and funding measures are found.
The CLG’s report emphasises what the turf professional industry knows only too well, that the important role which parks play for local residents who utilise them is multifaceted. They bring people together, tackle climate change and prevent flooding, reduce air pollution exposure and boost health as well as providing leisure amenities.
A crucial finding of the report said that councils should consider the range of alternative models for looking after parks - however they should remain owned by local authorities and be freely available to everyone.
The reported cited the case of Stoke Gifford Parish Council who last year tried to charge for its weekly Parkrun in a Bristol park. Parkrun and similar organisations, who do not charge for participation or raise revenue, could be encouraged to contribute volunteer time to help maintain parks or undertake fundraising, the report said.
Clive Betts, chairman of the CLG Committee said, "Every local authority should have a strategic plan, recognising that parks are much more than just grass and tulips and bringing in resources from outside the traditional budgets.
"Parks are treasured public assets, as the overwhelming response to our inquiry demonstrates, but they are at a tipping point and, if we are to prevent a period of decline with potentially severe consequences, then action must be taken."
He said the Government had a leadership role to play and volunteers did "fantastic work" but the primary responsibility lay with local authorities.
This point is vital from the point of view of the turf professional industry. It’s clearly fantastic to get local people involved in caring about, and wanting to help with their local green space - and more should without a doubt be encouraged to do so. But skilled, trained professionals are always going to be integral to keeping these areas maintained to their highest standard possible. Local authorities should not be allowed to get away with doing it on the cheap, by relying on the generosity and enthusiasm of amateur volunteers.
The British Association of Landscape Industries' (BALI) Chief Executive Wayne Grills emphasized this point in a statement following the publication of the report.
He said, “The report clearly acknowledges that whilst volunteer groups make an important contribution to trying to hold back the deterioration of some public parks, there are limitations to relying on volunteers.
“The health and safety implications from poor maintenance are a major concern for Local Authorities and for BALI and its members operating in the parks sector. BALI believes that solutions involving volunteers should be carefully implemented, managed and monitored.”
Wayne went on to say that BALI members who are already working in collaboration with local authorities, are keen to work with senior representatives at local and government level to help "develop and drive forward viable and sustainable park maintenance strategies," - which has to be the way to progress.
The experts who are on the ground working to make our parks a better environment for all, will be the best placed to offer solutions on how best to utilise the limited resources available.
