Almost half of councils are considering selling local parks according to a new report from the Heritage Lottery Fund which highlights the growing risk to the UK’s public green spaces.
The report, the first to comprehensively review the condition and management of public parks, also revealed that 81% of council parks departments have lost skilled management staff since 2010 and 77% have lost front-line staff.
However, the report also showed that the condition of public spaces has improved, as has their perceived importance by the public with 34 million people making regular trips to their local parks.
Dame Jenny Abramsky, chair of Heritage Lottery Fund, said: 'This report makes for sobering reading. Parks are highly valued, precious places that are vital to our physical and emotional well-being. Following decades of decline, Lottery funding sparked a parks renaissance but that is now at risk.
'We realise these are financially tough times and that is why we need collaborative action and a fresh approach to halt this threat of decline and stop this cycle of boom and bust. Our parks are far too important not to act now.'
The report highlights the extent of cuts to budgets with parks managers expecting this trend to continue over the next three years which could see a significant drop in available facilities.
Responding to the report Harry Bowell, regional director at the National Trust, said: 'We know people love being outdoors and some of their most treasured spaces to relax and play are those on their doorstep, their local parks and green spaces. This groundbreaking report from HLF is a wake –up call.
'The traditional model for funding public parks is breaking down and bold new ideas are needed. We want to help find solutions that could work in every city and town.'
