{"id":9359,"date":"2015-01-21T17:29:56","date_gmt":"2015-01-21T17:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ihbconline.co.uk\/newsachive\/?p=9359"},"modified":"2015-01-21T17:29:56","modified_gmt":"2015-01-21T17:29:56","slug":"uk-hlf-parks-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=9359","title":{"rendered":"UK HLF parks funding"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a320.6 million funding has been announced as an investment into UK historic parks by HLF<\/span><\/p>\n

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) writes:
\n<\/span>From Brighton to Barnsley, historic public parks awarded Lottery grants for restoration works and new facilities\u00a0\u00a0 Seven much-loved public parks are set to be revitalised thanks to new investment by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund.\u00a0\u00a0 The historic public parks are receiving grants today totalling \u00a320.6m for important regeneration works, new community facilities and a range of activities that will generate income and involve volunteers.<\/p>\n

This Lottery investment in parks comes six months after the publication of HLF\u2019s report State of UK Public Parks 2014: Renaissance to Risk which revealed that the UK\u2019s public parks are at serious risk of decline unless innovative ways of funding and maintaining them are found.<\/p>\n

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, said on behalf of HLF and the Big Lottery Fund:\u00a0 \u2018Since our report was published, it\u2019s become even clearer that parks are facing an uncertain future, in spite of being more popular than ever. Today\u2019s investment will not only help to regenerate these historic parks, ensuring local people have access to high quality green spaces, but it also brings to life several exciting plans that will see parks used for training, events and activities.\u2019<\/p>\n

Currently unused structures including walled gardens, gardener\u2019s cottages and historic halls and houses will be repaired and used as volunteer and training centres, event spaces and community facilities.\u00a0\u00a0 The parks funded are also partnering with schools and colleges, ensuring that the local community can learn a range of horticulture and other skills, enabling them to get involved in the restoration and future management and maintenance of their parks. Several apprenticeships will also be offered.<\/p>\n

Minister for Communities Stephen Williams said: \u2018Parks provide much needed green space for physical activity as well as a nice spot to relax and while away a free moment.\u00a0 But equally, as these projects demonstrate, parks and the buildings contained within them can also be active centres for the local community, providing training for young people and encourage volunteering.\u00a0 This significant new funding to revive their original character, to repair sports facilities and restore much-loved listed buildings will help ensure that these parks work for local communities for generations to come.\u2019<\/p>\n

Community sports facilities, including those previously used by Olympic champions but currently in a poor state, will be restored for both informal and organised sports.<\/p>\n

Helen Grant, Minister for Tourism, said: \u2018I am thrilled that several of our historic public parks will be rejuvenated thanks to the investment of \u00a320.6m by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.\u00a0\u00a0 This investment will encourage volunteering and help bring communities together. Around 34 million people make regular visits to our parks. With improved facilities, I am sure many more will be drawn to our great outdoor spaces.\u2019<\/p>\n