Written question asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 September 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 September 2017. It was answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 September 2017 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Parks

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many public parks there were in the UK in each year since 2010.

Answer: The Government does not collect data on number of parks or their acreages but fully recognises the value of publicly accessible green spaces which allow communities to come together and contribute to their health and well being. The Communities and Local Government Select Committee published its report on Public Parks in January 2017 which looked at both the value and future sustainability of parks as well as some of the challenges the sector faces. We will shortly be publishing our response to the Committee’s recommendations. We will work closely with the parks sector and other Government Departments who have the expertise and knowledge of what works well to ensure that parks continue to play a vital role in communities.

Secondary information