The Parks for People programme aims to regenerate public parks and cemeteries of national, regional or local heritage value for the enjoyment and recreation of local people.

The programme began in 2006 and is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the Big Lottery Fund contributing funding towards projects in England only. Since 2006, £254million has been awarded to 135 projects across the UK.

Evaluation is an important element of the programme. In 2008 the Heritage Lottery Fund and BIG commissioned consultants Hall Aitken assisted by Community First Partnership, to provide support to projects to enable them to fulfil the evaluation requirements of the programme. In 2011 the consultants produced an interim report, showing the progress of projects at that time, and the potential future impact.

In November 2013, Community First Partnership and Shephard & Moyes revisited annual output data submitted by Parks for People grantees, and also examined the wider impact of the parks programme on local communities and heritage through eight detailed case studies and a survey of parks grantees. The report showed that overall Parks for People is making a positive contribution across all outcomes.