Parks are good for the local environment and help tackle climate change. They can provide natural services that reduce temperatures, absorb pollution, capture carbon and manage flood risk.

Here is some of the evidence that will help you understand how parks protect the environment and can help tackle climate change.

Preparing for Climate Change A Good Practice Guide ADEPT

Nature-Based Solutions & Re-Naturing Cities EU

Book Nature Based Solutions To Climate Change

Biodiversity Offsetting HofP

Benefits of GI for heat mitigation and emissions reductions in cities Trust for Public Land

Parks boost the health of people who use them and live around them. They provide opportunities for physical recreation and are proven to help people tackle mental illness. By boosting the health and well-being of local communities parks help reduce the costs of public health. Here is some of the evidence that will help you understand the contribution of parks and green spaces to improving health and well being.

Nature contact, nature connectedness and associations with health, wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviours Plymouth Exeter Derby Universities

Urban green spaces and health review evidence WHO

The Economic Case for the Prevention of Mental Illness Annual Review of Public Health

SROI analysis of the health and wellbeing impacts of Wildlife Trusts

Physical activity and the environment PHE

Links between natural environments and mental health Natural England

Investigating the potential increase in health costs due to a decline in access to greenspace Natural England

Healthy High Streets Briefing Public Health England

Health Benefits of Parks Trust for Public Land

Green spaces and health inequalities PHE

Green space and health HP

Green space access, green space physical activity and overweight Natural England

Good Practice in Social Prescribing for mental health, the role of nature-based interventions Natural England

Economic costs of inactivity Loughborough University

Costing the Walking for Health programme Natural England

Active parks healthy cities City Parks Alliance

A review of nature-based interventions for mental health care Natural England

A Guide to the Healthy Parks Healthy People Parks Victoria

Nature Health in the West of England

Health in All Policies a manual for local government LGA

Parks are most peoples favourite public places.  They provide places where people come together and meet their neighbours strengthening communities. Here is some of the evidence that will help you understand how parks do this and how you can help

WHO’S WITH US? Bringing community along on the green space journey 202020 Vision

The social value of public spaces JRF

Social interaction, inclusion and community cohesion Forest Research

Places spaces people well being What Works for Well Being

Outdoor Recreation What Works for Well Being

Community ownership and management of parks and green spaces MyCommunity

There have been many surveys and report on parks in the UK over the years analysing their benefits and their current state. Here are a collection of the most comprehensive that provide a solid evidence base that parks matter.

Using Natural Capital in the Business Case for Parks EFTEC for TPA, PAG and MHCLG

Walking in Urban Parks and Green Spaces Ramblers TCPA

State of UK Public Parks 2016 NHLF

State of UK parks 2014 NHLF

Space to Thrive 2019 A Rapid Evidence Review NHLF

Rethinking Parks New Business Models Nesta

Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment 10 Year Report Natural England

Learning to Rethinking Parks Nesta

IFPRA Park Benefits Review

Green and Public Space Research Mapping Department for Communities and Local Government

Communities and Local Government Committee Public Parks Inquiry

Committee of Public Accounts Committee Enhancing Urban Green Space

Co-op Endangered Spaces

Brief Guide to Benefits of Green Space Leeds Uni

Blue Sky Green Space Greenspace