A recently published report from More In Common looked at how green spaces like parks make people feel proud of their communities. It asked 3,000 people in the UK and ran small discussion groups, and found that many people really care about their parks.
People enjoy green spaces mostly for fun and to relax, rather than just for nature. Parks help them feel less stressed and support their mental health.
Many people are worried that their local areas are getting worse because of bad behaviour, safety problems, and a lack of care from those in charge. This stops them from spending time in parks, especially if the spaces are not well looked after or are full of litter.
People want their communities to have the power and resources to look after their own green spaces. To earn people’s support, politicians need to focus on protecting and improving parks.
According to London Sport’s recent nationally representative research, 78% of people in the capital said they use parks to do sport or exercise, and across the UK 60% said the same. This shows why it is important to protect parks now and in the future, and to plan buildings and cities in a way that keeps green spaces safe for everyone’s physical and mental health.