THE evidence that parks and green spaces benefit well-being, physical health and mental health of individuals and communities is overwhelming.

This effect depends upon the park providing space, a sense of peace and safety along with freedom. This is supported by proximity to plants, trees, green spaces and the natural flora and fauna that make it their home. In addition parks often include facilities for sport and recreation: playgrounds with equipment, sports courts, study and craft areas, cafes and libraries stimulating thought and creativity.

This works when a park is well kept, free from litter and dog excrement.

When parks are neglected they foster vandalism and other antisocial behaviour so contributing to a negative spiral of anger and mistrust, destruction of community cohesion and crippling of the potential of individuals.

We have become aware that parks are ‘optional’ as local authorities, squeezed by reduced funding by central Government, have found that they can stay within budget and within the law by reducing expenditure on parks. This short term survival ploy will quickly yield damage and a need for more costly investments to counter this in the future.

In Trafford we have seen withdrawal of skilled staff from our parks, reliance on a team system which provides for little continuity and makes it difficult for mutual trust and knowledge to develop between staff and volunteers and others who use the parks.

Many Trafford parks have generated Friends Groups since 2002. These groups are the eyes and ears of the community and report on difficulties and seek to encourage best practice with the council and the private company.

We have a regular three monthly meeting with the leader of the Council and other senior officers. At the most recent of these every park represented made observations on deteriorating standards, loss of confidence and risk of adverse effects on community cohesion. It is felt that there are insufficient staff in many important roles and the staff in post are unreasonably stressed in trying to provide a satisfactory and satisfying service.

We argue strongly that parks and green spaces are an essential component of healthy, learning and creating local life and should be designated a statutory responsibility of local authorities.

Friends of John Leigh Park