Future of our parks and open spaces

Find out about our Open Spaces Strategy.

How we developed our Open Spaces Strategy

Between August and October 2016, more than 3,500 people took the opportunity to have their say on the future of the city’s parks and open spaces. This was our biggest ever response to this type of consultation.

The survey encouraged people to share views on what is important to them. It included ideas that other councils are using to manage and maintain their open spaces.

The 10-year strategy

We used feedback from the consultation to draw up a new Open Spaces Strategy. The current 10-year strategy (2017 to 2027) shapes the future of parks and open spaces in the city.

The strategy, which was formally approved by members of the Environment Transport and Sustainability Committee on 17 January 2017, proposed a range of policies and actions to put parks on a firm footing in order to maintain facilities for the future. The strategy highlights funding opportunities and the need to build on ideas that came out of the consultation.

We will continue to involve residents, park users and other interested parties as the strategy develops. The Environment Committee will consider any future updates.

Read our open spaces strategy.

About our parks and open spaces 

Brighton & Hove has approximately 147 parks including:

  • heritage parks
  • playing fields
  • green spaces

We also have more than 3,000 allotments, 50 playgrounds and a section of the South Downs National Park.

We have around 3,200 acres of open space across the city. Most of these public spaces are managed by our Cityparks team and supported by volunteers and friends of parks groups.

 

Download the transcript for our Parks and Open Spaces Big Conversation video.

Why parks and open spaces are important

Parks and open spaces promote physical and mental wellbeing.

Our open spaces:

  • are used by schools, colleges, universities and community organisations
  • support tourism and our economy
  • form a key part of our historic and current cultural identity
  • provide spaces for community events and large festivals
  • form part of the wider Brighton and Lewes Downs UNESCO World Biosphere Region, now called The Living Coast.