The Parks Alliance has released six ‘park pledges’ which it encourages candidates and parties to embrace ahead of the upcoming elections.

For parties

1. Continue to appoint a Minister for Parks as a key priority, ensuring that they have a good understanding of the sector and resources to champion parks and open spaces.

2. Commit to respond to the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee “Parks” report as soon as possible following the election and act upon the recommendations through the establishment of a Cross Departmental Working Group and parks ‘Task Force’.

3. Prepare, resource and implement a parks/open space strategy that leads to investment in the sector and helps identify robust, effective and innovative funding, governance and management models for parks.

4. Work with local authorities to reverse and mitigate the impact of cuts; protect funding; and generate sustainable income streams for the parks and spaces that are so vital to our health and well-being.

5. To champion parks within Parliament and work with their local authority to identify a ‘Park Champion’ in each council.

6. Commit to ensure the Brexit process, particularly the transition of legislation to the UK, leads to genuine enhancements for parks and open spaces.