Green spaces are good, they do good and they need to be protected for good. We call on MPs, MSs, MSPs, London Assembly members Peers and elected Mayors to take the Parks Protector Pledge and you as constituents to ask them how they plan to champion local green spaces as your representatives.
Parks Protector Pledge
Point One
Value parks and green spaces for their contribution to multiple policy agendas.
Point Two
Champion the important public service parks and green spaces provide locally.
Point Three
Advocate for policies that safeguard parks and green spaces across the country.
Point Four
Endorse the legal protection of my local parks and green spaces.
Point Five
Encourage sufficient and equitable provision of parks and green spaces for all.
Point Six
Support community volunteers on parks and green spaces.
Our Pledging to Protect manifesto includes more detail on each of the six points of the Parks Protector Pledge.
Download
Local parks and green spaces have been a vital lifeline for us all during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Pledge sets out how elected representatives can work to champion, support and protect green spaces for good both locally and nationally. Elected policymakers have an important role to play in the future of our parks and green spaces and we work with Pledging policymakers to support them in delivering on the commitment they have made to you, their constituents.
Elected representatives pledging to protect
There are currently 84 elected representatives and Peers across the UK who have committed to supporting the six points of the Parks Protector Pledge whilst in office. The Pledge was launched to coincide with the 2019 UK General Election and there are currently 50 Members of the UK Parliament who support its aims. To coincide with the 2021 and 2022 elections we invited those standing for Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, Northern Ireland Assembly, London Assembly and elected Mayoralties to take the Pledge and there are currently 34 across these chambers who have made the commitment.
My elected representatives haven't taken the Pledge yet
If you value your local park and your elected representatives haven't already taken the pledge then we need you to get in touch and encourage them to join their colleagues in making the commitment. It's important that your elected representatives know parks are an issue their constituents care about - when getting in contact, discuss with them why parks matter:
- Make the point that they contribute to helping us stay physically and mentally well, community cohesion, the environment, tackling loneliness, addressing childhood obesity, volunteering opportunities and more.
- Talk about parks in your constituency which are important to you including what they have meant to you during the coronavirus pandemic; it's likely you and your candidates will have shared experiences of why the spaces are important.
- Make the case for parks by setting out the evidence: our Revaluing Parks and Green Spaces research and Green Space Index are great places to start.
I'm an MP, MSP, MS, AM or elected Mayor
If you are an elected representative and would like to demonstrate your commitment the parks and green spaces, we invite you to join your colleagues in taking the Parks Protector Pledge. In return, we can support your work by sharing data, policy proposals and resources to help you in providing advice to constituents.
We are formally recording pledges from members of the UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, London Assembly and from elected Mayors. If you are a local Councillor you are welcome to take the Pledge and share it with your community but we are not formally recording pledges at this time.
Briefing Note
Read more about Fields in Trust and our work with elected policymakers across the UK.
Manifesto
The Pledging to Protect manifesto includes more detail on each of the pledge's six points.
Pledge Card
Representatives can sign the Pledge Card and use it to demonstrate their support.
Take the pledge
If you would like to take the pledge please email us your commitment.
About Fields in Trust
Fields in Trust is an independent charity with over 90 years’ experience protecting parks and green spaces. We work with landowners, community groups and policy makers to champion the value of our parks and green spaces to achieve better protection for their future at both local and national level.
