The LGA has long made the case for the importance of green and outdoor spaces for people’s health and wellbeing.
Responding to the Government’s Pocket Parks programme which provides £1.35 million funding for green spaces, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said:
”The LGA has long made the case for the importance of green and outdoor spaces for people’s health and wellbeing. In the face of the current childhood obesity epidemic, green spaces are a key resource which are enjoyed by people of all ages across the country, and sit at the heart of local communities.
”However, it is important that councils can maintain their core leisure and green spaces so our residents can keep active, host community events, and enjoy top-quality, safe, children’s play areas, all of which benefit the mental and physical health of people who use them.
“It is therefore important that the Government provides long-term, sustainable funding so they can continue to provide excellent services for their residents, including green spaces.”
ENDS