Who’s Visiting a Park Near You?
23 March 2010
Are you a jogger or a walker? Do you prefer tai chi or boot camp? According to the Green Flag Award Scheme fresh air and exercise are top of the list when it comes to why we visit our local parks.
Our People, Places and Green Spaces report is one of the first research projects of its kind ever undertaken and its findings will help park managers create a better facility to meet the community’s needs as well as promoting the Green Flag Award scheme.
900 people from 140 locations across England and Wales took part in the survey, during July and August. Four main groups of park users were identified.
Great Outdoors
A massive 40% of those asked said fresh air and exercise was the main reason they visited green spaces.
Sanctuary
25% of people in the survey visit parks and green spaces to seek peace and tranquility and these form the second largest group.
Playground
19% of people visit parks with their children.
Team Spirit
The fourth biggest group head to the park to see friends and socialise with frinds and family.
Over 10% of those surveyed fell into the Resistor group as they had not visited a park or green space in the last 12 months.
Paul Todd Green Flag Awards manager said: “These finding are the first of their kind and will play an important role in helping shape our green spaces in the future. In addition, the report will influence how we raise the public’s awareness of the Green Flag Award scheme and what they can expect when they visit a Green Flag Award-winning park or green space.”
The Green Flag Award scheme celebrates the best green spaces in the country, and recognises well managed, high quality spaces. With a record number of parks having received the award this year there’s never been a better time to visit one near you.
Since its launch in 1996, the Green Flag Award scheme has grown in popularity with the number of applicants increasing every year. The vision for this award is that by 2020, 15,000 sites will be part of the scheme.
View the report report here