Local authority historie parks in the UK

Abstract

This chapter is based on the findings of a needs assessment survey of Britain's public parks, undertaken by the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management, on behalf of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and English Heritage. The survey followed an earlier exercise which had highlighted the lack of data about this area of Britain's heritage. The chapter focuses particularly on historic parks and is presented in three sections: the first looking at the aims and methodology of the survey and the rate of response; the second considering the survey findings; and the third presenting its conclusions and recommendations. The main aim of the survey was to gather data about public parks in order to assist grant‐making by the Heritage Lottery Fund, through its Urban Parks Programme. The returns were used to create a database of local authority owned parks and open spaces, providing details of size, condition, features, facilities, status, conservation designations, visitor numbers and so on. The first section reports on the responses from local authorities, 174 of which had park stock. It notes that a further survey is in process to increase the knowledge base. The second section provides details on individual parks defined by local authorities as being of historic interest; what conservation status or value they are seen to have; what condition they are in; and what features they possess. It goes on to consider the need for objective standards, covering their various uses and the opportunities they provide, as well as for the more easily quantifiable data of size, features and catchment area. The section also includes consideration of local authority knowledge of parks, aspects of best practice, regional variations in conditions, plus recent trends in parks management, such as the known impact of Compulsory Competitive Tendering and the possible effects of Best Value. Finally, the section covers the financial and training needs for the proper maintenance of parks, and considers the questions of the numbers and kinds of park users and ways of reflecting their concerns and needs. The third section notes the general decline in the condition of parks over the last two decades, across the whole of the country. Recommendations include immediate, medium‐term and long‐term proposals. In the short term, the authors call for the completion and maintenance of the parks database and the dissemination of its findings. In the medium term, they recommend the development of agreed definitions for parks and their features, with national standards, guidance for Best Value, sharing of best practice, development of national and local parks strategies, improved training and career opportunities, and a standard formula for visitor numbers and usage. In the long term, the authors call for greater government recognition of the role of parks in urban regeneration, a comprehensive investment programme, and the encouragement of new ways of involving users, residents and others in the further development of parks.