Local authorities will receive £9.7m to “breathe new life” into parks and green spaces, housing, communities and local government James Brokenshire announced on Sunday.
An additional £2.75m will be made available for the pocket parks plus programme to support communities to take the lead in transforming their neglected and derelict spaces.
A further £1.2m has been given to the National Trust and the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Future Parks Accelerator initiative.
Brokenshire said: “Our parks and green spaces are huge assets to our towns and cities, offering precious spaces for all of us to get together, to exercise and to play.
“This latest funding will support bold proposals to help renovate and restore existing parks and create new vibrant, safe green spaces for our communities.
“The future of our nation’s parks is an issue close to all our hearts and we will do all we can to preserve these vital green lungs that breathe life into our communities.”
Gerard Vernon-Jackson, chair of the Local Government Association’s culture, tourism and sport board, said: “Our public parks and green spaces are some of our most cherished local services, and this injection of money will boost councils’ efforts to keep these open and in good condition, despite facing significant funding pressures.
“The money local government has to provide vital services such as parks and open spaces is running out fast and huge uncertainty remains about how councils will pay for services into the next decade and beyond.”
The LGA recently warned that park maintenance is one area that is likely to see reductions unless councils receive more money in the Spending Review.
