A report commissioned by the London Assembly Environment Committee has urged London Mayor Sadiq Khan to ensure that all Londoners have access to a high-quality green space within a ten-minute walk from their front door.
Khan originally pledged to improve London’s green spaces and bring new parks closer to more people in his 2021 manifesto.
However, a report published on Friday 26 September, shows that London’s parks are under pressure, with budgets squeezed and surging levels of demand.
More than half of the over 2 million people in London live in flats, the report noted, making high-quality green spaces essential for residents to meet, exercise, and relax.
The Assembly said that with the capital’s population continuing to grow, fewer private gardens being built, and funding for parks being cut, London’s parks are under increasing pressure.
It called on Khan to fund the creation of new parks in London and to ensure existing parks are adequately maintained so they can adequately meet the demands of people who wish to enjoy them.
The new London Plan, the Assembly said, should include a minimum commitment for the provision of green space per person and ensure that everyone in London should be no more than a ten-minute walk from a high-quality green space.
Other recommendations included the GLA funding Parks for London to develop a regular London-wide survey of parks users and volunteers to understand more about who is involved in parks in the city and boost community involvement.
“We heard strong evidence throughout our investigation of the important role parks play, and with a growing population and changing climate, it is essential these spaces are properly funded and are designed in a way that means they will last for future generations to enjoy,” said London Assembly Environment Committee Chair Leonie Cooper.
“However, funding for parks has declined in many boroughs. Local authority budgets for parks have fallen by approximately eight per cent since 2008, while the capital’s population has risen by over 15%.”
“We have seen the Mayor carry out work to help improve London’s parks following previous reports from the London Assembly Environment Committee, and we hope he considers our report recommendations to further enhance London’s green space offering,” Cooper said.
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