Residents asked to share views to help shape Newcastle parks' future
A consultation event is to begin asking people to share their views on the future of facilities at the city’s parks and allotments
by Emily Gray · ChronicleLiveResidents across Newcastle are being asked for their views on the future of the city’s parks and allotments.
Newcastle City Council are set to launch a new survey to find out the priorities of residents when it comes to the city’s green spaces.
Urban Green Newcastle (UGN) has managed 33 parks, more than 60 allotment sites and around 60 buildings since it was established as a charity by the council in 2019 - including some of the best parks in the country that offer a green haven in the heart of the urban city. Now, five years after entering the agreement with UGN, the city council wants to ask residents what they want from their parks and allotments in the future.
Cllr Abdul Samad, Cabinet member for a Vibrant City, said: “Our parks and allotments are among the best in the country and should be a source of great pride. Those green spaces are much loved assets which play a leading part in the health, wellbeing, and enjoyment of our city.
“But councils, of all political colours, are facing huge financial pressures and we need to make sure we have a viable model for the future management of these assets. Urban Green Newcastle have managed our parks, and many of our allotments, for five years and have achieved some fantastic results.
"We want to ensure the voices of our residents and community groups are heard as part of the ongoing review of our assets. I would encourage anyone who uses one of the city’s parks or allotments, no matter how frequently, to have their say and get involved in this engagement.”
Carol Pyrah, Chief Executive of Urban Green Newcastle said: “Everyone at Urban Green Newcastle cares deeply about the city’s parks and allotments, and we’re pleased to be working collaboratively with Newcastle City Council for the good of our shared green spaces. This survey is an opportunity for park users and residents across Newcastle to share their ambitions for the future of the city's parks and allotments."
The council had granted £1m of additional funding to UGN for the 2024/25 financial year, with a condition being that a review of the management of parks and allotments was undertaken.
Newcastle City Council say engagement on the parks will focus on what matters most to residents when it comes to the city’s green spaces. The online survey opened today and will run for five weeks, before being presented to the City Council’s Cabinet in late November. You can get involved by visiting Lets Talk Newcastle. Keep an eye on the city council social media channels for more information.
The council survey will run alongside a separate survey being conducted by Urban Green Newcastle to support the development of management plans for four city parks. You can respond to that survey, focusing on Walker Park, Jesmond Dene, Leazes Park and Exhibition Park on Urban Green's website.
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