Parks and open green spaces reflect and add to the quality of life and general physical and spiritual wellbeing of the surrounding communities and the individuals of all ages that live within proximity to them. There is a wealth of evidence that there are clear health and environmental benefits which derive from them.
Parks act as gathering places for social and environmental groups as well as families and groups of individuals. They generate and promote interaction through sporting and other recreational activities and are a catalyst for engaging with and within the surrounding community. In many cases the parks and green spaces are at the heart of the local community, generating a sense of belonging and giving identity to it. They are the very essence of the community
Everyone loves a good park, except, it appears, the Labour controlled Birmingham City Council.
The City’s Labour Council has revealed that it is considering a policy which will see up to 8 acres of parkland used for house building every year as well as their previously announced plans to build on greenbelt land on the edges of the City. These proposals will seriously reduce the parkland available for use for leisure and other activities by the local communities year on year.
The Labour Council is in addition planning to levy charges for parking at a number of parks. This will deter and discourage people from using and enjoying the park and its facilities and deprive the community from the obvious benefits provided by deriving from the parks.
What are your views?
Please write to Akaal Sidhu at:
Akaal will advocate, protect and defend the rights and interests of the local residents by using his professional skills and his local knowledge and experience