Parks and green spaces: unlocking a fresh vision

Public parks have a long and distinguished history. Promoted by patronage, they provided an essential element in the social planning of urban areas. In recent years their status and consequent funding has been in near terminal decline. A renaissance of the urban park began with targeted Heritage Lottery Funding. The recent Urban Green Spaces Taskforce report confirms the necessity of reviving the roles of urban parks. This paper reviews the history and current position and argues for a wider role for urban parks as essential elements in the educational and cultural well-being of urban areas. New visions and the application of design talent should be matched by proper funding so as to ensure urban parks become the hearts of the place.