Coastal, country and city parks from Aberdeen to Dorset will benefit from a share of £30.7million from HLF and Big Lottery Fund.

As summer begins to settle in and more of us head outside, the importance of public parks is clear. Parks provide space to play and improve our wellbeing and the opportunity to connect with nature and our heritage.

Despite becoming increasingly popular, threats to funding and resources mean many public parks are becoming run-down and face an uncertain future.

[quote]More than £850m has been invested in parks across the UK.[/quote]

Which is why funding made possible by National Lottery players is vital and more than £850m has been invested in parks across the UK.

Today’s support will restore historic features and build sustainable futures, create new facilities for communities and enrich environments for wildlife.

More than 6,000 people will become volunteers, benefit from training or gain employment. From woodland management and river clean ups to horticultural traineeships and community excavations – people are at the heart of the future of their parks.

Parks receiving support today include:

• Aden Country Park, Mintlaw
• Bailey Hill Park, Mold
• Beddington Park, Wallington
• Bowring Park, Knowsley
• Durlston Country Park
• Faversham Recreation Ground
• Great Linford Manor Grounds, Milton Keynes
• Headstone Manor Recreation Park, Harrow
• Hunstanton Heritage Gardens
• Kearnsey Abbey and Russell Gardens, Dover
• Levengrove Park, Dumbarton
• Marble Hill Park, Twickenham
• North Marine Park, South Shields
• Parc Cefn Onn, Cardiff
• Warrenpoint Municipal Park, Newry
• Wynham Park, Grantham

Funding for parks in England comes from the Big Lottery Fund and HLF. Grants for parks in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales comes from HLF. In September, HLF is set to publish its second report into the current state of UK parks.

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