
Brief summary of the highlights from the London Parks and Green Spaces Forum Network:
Urban Parks Toolkit will be web based to help inform and signpost individuals and Friends Groups to information about protecting parks and influencing the planning process. This should be completed by early 2014.
Major Heritage Lottery Fund study aims to build parks' case. The project will combine fresh analysis of existing data from a variety of sources with new evidence gathered from parks professionals via a survey to be launched online in a matter of weeks. It will include questions on capital and revenue budgets as well as staffing and resourcing for parks management and maintenance. It will look at the impact on the quality of parks of budget reductions as well as how strategically budgets are being made. Evidence and case studies that highlight the range of challenges and opportunities that are currently facing the sector should be sent to: ukparksstudy@cfpuk.co.uk
Apps that help
Love Clean Streets App was presented by Nigel Tyrell, Head of Environment at the London Borough of Lewisham. This is a free app that can be used across the UK enabling public and staff to take and send photos of litter or damage they see using mobile phones. Uses the phones GPS to show the location of the problem. Eliminates need for lengthy telephone calls, improved response times, saves money on call centre charges, grafitti declined by 73%, fly tipping declined by 53 tonnes and the app can be localised to your area. To see more click here
MpPark App was revealed Dr. Shepley Orr, Lecturer at UCL. This is intended to create better relationships between people and their parks and a sense of ownership. It will integrate with websites and use museum 3D technology. Imagine a digital 'welcome board' at the entrance to your parks, this is what the app is recreating in your hand, with events, message boards, volunteering opportunities, 'meet me' features and ability to create themed trails around the park eg walks, runs, history. Launch for 4 parks in 2013 with 6-8 more later in the year.
Why not become a member of Green Connect to receive exclusive news, reports, invitations to meetings and professional support. Read more here
Urban Parks Toolkit will be web based to help inform and signpost individuals and Friends Groups to information about protecting parks and influencing the planning process. This should be completed by early 2014.
Major Heritage Lottery Fund study aims to build parks' case. The project will combine fresh analysis of existing data from a variety of sources with new evidence gathered from parks professionals via a survey to be launched online in a matter of weeks. It will include questions on capital and revenue budgets as well as staffing and resourcing for parks management and maintenance. It will look at the impact on the quality of parks of budget reductions as well as how strategically budgets are being made. Evidence and case studies that highlight the range of challenges and opportunities that are currently facing the sector should be sent to: ukparksstudy@cfpuk.co.uk
Apps that help
Love Clean Streets App was presented by Nigel Tyrell, Head of Environment at the London Borough of Lewisham. This is a free app that can be used across the UK enabling public and staff to take and send photos of litter or damage they see using mobile phones. Uses the phones GPS to show the location of the problem. Eliminates need for lengthy telephone calls, improved response times, saves money on call centre charges, grafitti declined by 73%, fly tipping declined by 53 tonnes and the app can be localised to your area. To see more click here
MpPark App was revealed Dr. Shepley Orr, Lecturer at UCL. This is intended to create better relationships between people and their parks and a sense of ownership. It will integrate with websites and use museum 3D technology. Imagine a digital 'welcome board' at the entrance to your parks, this is what the app is recreating in your hand, with events, message boards, volunteering opportunities, 'meet me' features and ability to create themed trails around the park eg walks, runs, history. Launch for 4 parks in 2013 with 6-8 more later in the year.
Why not become a member of Green Connect to receive exclusive news, reports, invitations to meetings and professional support. Read more here