World Parks Day 2014, September 20th, is a prompt for us all to renew our determination to stand up for the UK's public parks and green spaces. More and more people are calling for action to address the underfunding crisis. Over the last few months there's has been a rising level of concern for the future of such spaces. Here are some of the significant things happening. - CUTS CONTROVERSIES: Thousands of parks' officers and members of local Friends Groups will be expressing alarm, speaking out and lobbying their Local Authorities to protect next year's parks budgets. The underfunding crisis for our wonderful green spaces deepens as Councils face further, heavy, general budget cuts throughout the UK. Parks services are particularly under threat as, incredibly, they are not a statutory obligation for Councils. https://www.facebook.com/ukparkspetition/photos/a.250001218544005.1073741829.248338588710268/250001031877357/?type=1&theater - GREENER BRITAIN: UK Environmental organisations representing 7 million members call for action to halt the crisis facing our green spaces. The 10 organisations - including National Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and Friends of The Earth - have produced a special 'Greener Britain' Report which warns that 'funding for public parks and green spaces is in crisis. Local authorities are facing reductions in revenue spending of around 40 per cent by May 2015 compared to 2010 budgets, predicted to drop by about 60 per cent by 2020. In the largest cities, the impact is likely to be even more severe, with the probability that there will be little or no money left for parks by 2020. Our parks, green corridors and waterways are critical to the attractiveness of our towns and cities, and to the well-being of the millions who live in them. Given that strategic funding is now being channelled through local growth funds, and the critical role natural infrastructure plays in people’s lives, it should qualify for funding just as local transport schemes do.' - CAMPAIGNS TO PROTECT PUBLIC OPEN SPACES: There are many determined local campaigns around the UK to protect green space from inappropriate development. One of these has gone further than most. A recent legal case at the High Court in London saw a community campaign - Protect Dundonald Rec - challenge Merton Council's scheme to build on Dundonald Rec in defiance of the views of a Planning Inspector. The campaign and legal case has tried, so far unsuccessfully, to establish greater protection rights for all the UK's green spaces. Now the local campaigners, backed by the London Green Spaces Friends Groups Network, are calling on people to sign a petition calling on the Secretary of State to intervene. Please sign the petition: http://www.change.org/p/eric-pickles-appeal-merton-council-s-scheme-to-build-on-dundonald-rec-protect-public-parks-and-open-spaces-stop-local-authorities-building-on-them - POLITICAL DEBATE: The main Political Parties will be holding their conferences in the coming weeks. There will be debate over what issues are important to the public, and which policies should be in manifestos to be addressed by the next Government in May 2015. There will also be debate among the wider public on what their own concerns and hopes are for the future. Such a debate can only grow as the General Election gets closer. It is crucial that as many people as possible sign the Save Our Parks petition to send out a strong message on the importance of green spaces. - LOVE PARKS CAMPAIGN: Love Parks Week (events at the end of July each year) is now being expanded to become an all year round programme, “Love Parks”. 'The Love Parks Week aim has always been to raise awareness of the importance of parks and green spaces, showcasing the benefits they bring and highlighting the need for continual investment and engagement. Sadly, as the nation comes to realise the benefits green spaces bring to our lives and communities, funding is being dramatically reduced. This year Love Parks Week will be ramping up its fight for parks and encouraging the creation of a year round movement with a launch of a new brand - ‘Love Parks’, after all a park is for life not just for summer.' Love Parks is managed by Keep Britain Tidy, working with the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces and other key organisations. More info: www.loveparksweek.org and www.facebook.com/LoveParksWeek PROMOTE THE 'SAVE OUR PARKS' PETITION The Government's cuts to Local Authorities for our local public services, combined with the lack of statutory protection for open spaces, are causing the most of the problems we are facing. So please sign and promote the UK 'Save Our Parks' petition to step up the pressure on the Government and all political parties to take seriously the future funding and protection of our vital green spaces. 1. Sign the petition: http://chn.ge/TXdqhj 2. Spread the news via Twitter: @LoveParks_Week #LoveParks 3. Spread the news via Facebook: www.facebook.com/ukparkspetition - and: www.facebook.com/LoveParksWeek 4. Refer to the Parks Petition webpage: www.natfedparks.org.uk/parks-petition.html - the page includes a Sign Up Sheet and leaflets to distribute best wishes Dave Morris NFPGS Campaigns Officer