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August 2026 Special Feature GroundsFest Preview
Poorest areas twice as likely to have unsafe and run-down parks Research reveals shocking levels of inequality of access to safe, well maintained green spaces, despite proven benefits to wellbeing and quality of life. People living in Britain’s most deprived communities are more than twice as likely to describe their local park as ‘unsafe’ compared to those in the most affluent areas, according to new research by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, published to mark the 30th anniversary of the Green Flag Award. The findings reveal a growing ‘Green Divide’ across Britain, with those who stand to benefit the most from access to safe green spaces the least likely to have them. The research also reveals that parks in the most deprived communities are most likely to fail to meet basic human needs, in contrast with those in affluent areas. This inequality has widespread implications for
wellbeing, community safety and economic opportunity. Evidence shows that parks are one of the most cost-effective public assets available; every £1 invested delivers more than £7 in wellbeing benefits. Yet, despite physical inactivity costing the UK £7.4 billion each year, investment in parks has accounted for less than three per cent of local authority budgets in recent years.
“In an age of rising concern about community cohesion, young people’s wellbeing and time spent online, safe local parks are becoming more important than ever. Yet the communities who need them the most are sadly the least likely to have them. “With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative
solution and one of the most visible ways councils can improve people’s quality of life. “Every pound invested in a park, particularly in a deprived community, delivers real returns - improving wellbeing, bringing communities together, reducing loneliness, giving people somewhere safe and free to spend time and, ultimately,
reducing pressure on public services like the NHS. “As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces that are safe, welcoming and maintained to the highest standards.” Green Flag Award Enquiry 1
For the first time, data has been examined from the British Children’s Pre-School Play Survey specifically to understand the role playgrounds play in children’s lives.
A look around the urban environment
Keep Britain Tidy’s findings are published as this year’s Green Flag Award winners are announced, recognising a record 2,391 of the UK’s best-managed parks and green spaces.
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Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.
Study reveals powerful link play and mental health Young children who spend more time playing in playgrounds are happier and have better mental health, according to new analysis of one of Britain’s leading studies of children’s play.
Hard & Soft Landscaping
understand the role playgrounds play in young children’s lives. That matters because playgrounds are the number one place children play away from home, yet until now we haven’t had a clear picture of how playground use relates to children’s mental health and wellbeing.”
Chair of the Association of Play Industries, Dr Amanda Gummer, said the report clearly shows the power of playgrounds.
“The findings provide fresh evidence that playgrounds are far more than recreational spaces -
they are essential public health infrastructure, a crucial part of children’s everyday lives and make an important contribution to their mental health,” she explained.
investing in high-quality public play spaces. If we continue to treat them as optional, we will keep paying for that decision elsewhere.”
“This report strengthens the case for protecting and
Association of Play Industries Enquiry 2
The findings - from leading play expert Professor Helen Dodd and commissioned by the Association of Play Industries - reveal that playgrounds are not only the number one place for young children to play away from home, but that more frequent playground play is associated with better wellbeing and fewer emotional difficulties.
Ride-on Mowers The new models making an impact. Page 28-29
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Professor Dodd, said: “This is the first time we’ve been able to examine these data specifically to
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