Parks and how they are used and funded have been dominant in the news recently. As the weather improves open spaces across the UK are set to become even more important for communities.

But what is going on behind the scenes?

In 2014, HLF launched the State of Parks: Renaissance to Risk?  report which was hailed as a groundbreaking and reliable picture of the state of parks and open spaces.

[quote]Parks managers, friends groups and community groups are now being asked to take part[/quote]

It revealed a growing risk that some parks could become no-go areas or even sold off. It also discovered that:

• 86% of parks managers reported cuts to revenue budgets
• 45% of local authorities considered either selling parks and green spaces or transferring their management to others
• 81% of council parks departments had lost skilled management staff

Parks managers, friends groups and community groups are now being asked to take part in a survey to find out what has changed two years on. This insight will form a vital part of the State of Parks II report, which will be launched in the summer.

Get involved

The survey can be found on the State of Public Parks website and participants have until Friday 29 April to complete it.