LEEDS parks and green spaces forum

Green Spaces refers to outdoor recreational areas for people and wildlife, such as Parks, flower beds, hanging baskets and planters, nature reserves, woodlands, urban greenways and underdeveloped landscapes, public rights of way and footpaths, cemeteries and crematoria, allotments and city farms, recreation grounds and playing fields


The Leeds Parks and Green Spaces Forum is a voluntary organisation made up of individuals, groups and organisations interested in enhancing the green spaces of Leeds.


Our Aims


  • We aim to work in partnership with Leeds City Council to protect, preserve and enhance the parks and green spaces of Leeds for the benefit of people and wildlife 


We also aim to


  • Facilitate regular communication and partnership working between Leeds City Council and Forum members
  • Act as a consultation body for decisions being made that affect green spaces (existing or potential) in Leeds
  • Influence policy for the benefit of parks and green spaces
  • Advocate the value of parks and green spaces to decision makers and the general public
  • Engage more local people in caring for parks and green spaces; to support voluntary groups that care for green spaces in Leeds
  • Raise funds for the benefit of parks and green spaces 


Who we are


  • Members include 'Friends of' groups, Residents’ associations, In Bloom groups, Environmental charities and LCC Parks and Countryside 


Benefits of Membership


  • Opportunities to meet other people with an interest in green space
  • Guided visits to parks and .green spaces across Leeds. 
  • News of opportunities for community groups such as for funding, training and insurance. 
  • Quarterly meetings with talks and presentations
  • Updates from senior Leeds City Council parks and countryside officers
  • Regular newsletter
  • The chance to say what you think about (and potentially influence) policies and future development


New Members are welcome


If you're interested in improving the parks and green spaces of Leeds, please join the forum and/or contact us at LPGSF@leeds.gov.uk - or ring 0113 3957400 (Mon-Fri)


Download our Constitution (right)


Links


Leeds Parks and Countryside Service Contact parks@leeds.gov.uk


Leeds Parks Fund - charity dedicated to enhancing parks and green spaces in Leeds


Love Parks (National support for Friends Of groups)


National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces


RHS Communities


TCV Community Network


Voluntary Action Leeds

What are the benefits of green spaces?


They're popular


97% of Leeds residents visit local parks every year, making a total of 68.9 million visits to Leeds parks - and that's not counting other types of green space such as nature reserves. 50% of British people visit a park at least once a week, and 91% say public parks and open spaces improve their quality of life


They look good


Flowers, trees, woods, lakes, meadows and streams all beautify the area around them


They're healthy


Physical: Evidence shows that people with good access to green space are more active and less likely to have conditions such as obesity which are related to lack of exercise


Mental: The more often a person visits urban green spaces, the less often he or she will report stress related illnesses.  Spending time in green spaces can reduce clinical symptoms of anxiety & depression too


They benefit the local economy


Houses near parks tend to sell for more, and green spaces attract visitors to the area, benefiting local businesses. Reduced health costs also help the local economy


They support communities


Green spaces are free and open to all. They're shared spaces where people of different backgrounds can meet and get to know one another


They help control climate change 


Plants draw CO2 out of the atmosphere, and green spaces also help by reducing flooding and extreme temperatures


They provide sustainable and safe transport options 


Public rights of way through green spaces allow people to get around the city in a safe and environmentally friendly way, by walking, cycling, skating, horse riding or even canoing!


They provide homes for wildlife


Birds, butterflies and bees have vital roles to play, especially within cities


They're child friendly


Parks and green spaces are a free resource where  children and families can play, learn and exercise


They connect us to the past


Recent research shows that children learn better in the natural environment than in a classroom, and there's so much to learn out in our parks and green spaces


See here for more