Progress on City of York Council’s major investment in parks and green spaces
A report detailing where City of York Council is set to allocate three quarters of a million pounds of investment to revitalise parks, play areas, and public green spaces across the city will be taken to a public meeting for approval next month.
The investment was first announced in February as part of setting the council’s Budget for 2025-26.
It is made up of an initial £750k investment and officers will use future sources of funds to add to this investment, including S106 money taking the programme budget to around £925k.
The parks investment programme prioritises green spaces located within areas of higher deprivation and where there is ageing play equipment and infrastructure and will support the council’s ambition to increase the number of Green Flag parks in York.
The aim is to encourage more people to spend time outdoors, improve accessibility, social inclusion and play.
Where the money will be spent
Following a detailed assessment using a weighted scoring system, the Executive will be asked to approve 19 schemes for immediate investment. These include:
- Hull Road Park (Hull Road) – multiple upgrades including footpaths, play equipment, accessible seating, surfacing, and fencing
- Chesney’s Field (Westfield) – new play equipment, safety surfacing, seating, and linking path
- Crombie Avenue (Clifton) – near-total rebuild of play area and upgrade of the games court
- Acomb Green and Batchelor Hill (Westfield), and Viking Road play area (Acomb) targeted repairs, new equipment and accessibility improvements
- Brailsford Crescent (Rawcliffe and Clifton Without) – renew of junior play area
- Glen Gardens (Heworth) – resurfacing and fencing of the basketball court
- Rowntree Park (Micklegate) – replacement of pyramid climber and basketball court improvements
Five additional schemes, including pavilion upgrades and new access routes, will be further investigated for feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
Community and environmental impact
The programme will be delivered by a newly appointed, fixed term project officer. The council will work closely with local communities, ward councillors and volunteer groups to ensure inclusive design and delivery.
Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, said: “This investment will give our parks a huge boost. Recent reports* show a 50 per cent decline in outdoor play over a generation, which is a real loss for children, parents, and our communities.
“We are improving our oldest play equipment and creating spaces that bring people of all ages and ability together, whether to sit quietly in nature, meet people, play or exercise. We know that our parks and green spaces can be thriving hubs for everyone, and we want them to be fun, beautiful and welcoming for all. If you want to support our efforts to make York a vibrant, outdoor City of Play, please get in touch.”
The council encourages local businesses and community groups to get involved through sponsorship, volunteering, or in-kind contributions.
It is also encouraging residents to volunteer in helping build pride in their local parks and play areas, through local ‘Friends of’ groups, community litter picks and other local volunteering activities.
For more information, visit the council’s website or read the Space to Thrive report at: Space to Thrive – National Lottery Heritage Fund