MORE WORK PLANNED TO IMPROVE CITY'S PARKS AND GREEN SPACES (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

MORE WORK PLANNED TO IMPROVE CITY'S PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

September 4, 2010 10:30 AM

Councillor Nigel Ayre

York's five Green Flag status parks could be joined by two more parks over coming years if proposed improvements get the go ahead later this month.

It is hoped that planned improvements to Hull Road Park and Scarcroft Green could put them in the running for Green Flag status within the next few years.

The improvements are part of a city wide project run City of York Council to improve York's green spaces. Suggested improvements include redeveloping the old ranger base in Hull Road Park and working with the Bowls Association and York Probation Trust to improve Scarcroft Green.

The proposals will go before Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Social Inclusion, Councillor Nigel Ayre at an Executive Member Decision Session later this month.

Councillor Ayre will also be asked to approve future plans for some of York's other green spaces and natural areas including nominating a site to be part of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge which will give communities an opportunity to vote for a playing fields in their area and be permanently protected as a tribute to the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2010.

As well as looking at future actions, the report also sets out the improvements that have been made to the city's parks and open spaces over the past year. These include the refurbishment of the toilets in West Bank Park, the improvements to the pavilions in Hull Road Park and Clarence Gardens and the provision of new play equipment across the city as part of the Playbuilder scheme.

Councillor Ayre said the report highlighted the large amount of work that was going into the city's parks and green spaces. He said, "This report sets out just how much work has gone into improving the city's green spaces over the past year."

"Improving the quality of our parks and open spaces is one of our top priorities and the increasing number of parks achieving the Green Flag award is testament to the hard work that has gone into giving us parks to be proud of."

Councillor Ayre said one of the key factors driving the work on parks and open green spaces was the need to involve the local community in the work. He said, "We have been very keen to ensure that the local community are at the heart of any work that is done."

"Our parks and green spaces are facilities to be enjoyed by the local community so it is very important that their ideas for their local spaces are taken into account."

The report will be presented to the Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion Executive Member Decision Session on 14th September.