New funding has been announced by the Big Lottery and HLF for parks, with <\/u>an additional \u00a330 million available under the <\/u>Parks for People programme.
\n<\/u><\/p>\n
The Big Lottery fund writes:<\/u>
\nToday, the Big Lottery Fund announced it will invest a further \u00a320million in England\u2019s public parks and cemeteries, \u00a310million a year until 2018. Combined with HLF\u2019s commitment of \u00a320m per year under the Parks for People programme in England, this takes the total budget available to \u00a330m per year for new projects.<\/p>\n
HLF will also continue to make an additional \u00a34m available for projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
This news extends the agreement between the Big Lottery Fund and HLF, which has seen a total of nearly \u00a3290m of National Lottery cash invested in reviving over 126 historic green spaces since 2006.<\/p>\n
Parks for People provides grants of between \u00a3100,000 and \u00a35million to restore and rejuvenate historic parks and cemeteries. Organisations can apply for funding for projects that repair heritage features, open new facilities and run volunteering and activity programmes, involving the community in the running of the park.<\/p>\n
Peter Ainsworth, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund, said: \u2018Green spaces are vital to the happiness and health of our communities, so we\u2019re really pleased to be continuing our support for the Parks for People programme. In partnership with HLF we\u2019ve invested almost \u00a3290m since 2006 in rejuvenating our parks to help make sure they can be enjoyed now and for years to come.\u2019<\/p>\n
The news comes a year after HLF pledged to continue investing in public parks after its report State of UK Public Parks 2014: Renaissance to Risk revealed that they are at serious risk of decline unless innovative new ways of funding and maintaining them are found. An update on this report is set to be published next summer.<\/p>\n
Sir Peter Luff, Chair of HLF, said: \u2018Parks are rightly among the UK\u2019s most highly valued and well-used public spaces and inspire much local pride. There is increasing demand on National Lottery players\u2019 money but I\u2019m sure they will welcome the continuation of this productive partnership with the Big Lottery Fund. Our ‘Parks for People’ programme plays a major part in ensuring these precious green sanctuaries thrive. I hope even more communities across the UK will come forward to bid for a share of this funding.\u2019<\/p>\n
Applications for the next round of Parks for People funding are now open until the 29 February 2016 and the first grants from this new investment will be awarded in June 2016.<\/p>\n
View the press release<\/a> and more information on the Big Lottery funding<\/p>\n View HLF funding information<\/a><\/p>\n IHBC NewsBlogs on funding<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New funding has been announced by the Big Lottery and HLF for parks, with an additional \u00a330 million available under the Parks for People programme. The Big Lottery fund writes: Today, the Big Lottery Fund announced it will invest a … Continue reading