Haringey greenspace Friends Groups call for adequate Government funding for parks and green spaces

Haringey joins the UK Day of Local Action for Parks, Green Spaces and Nature in the build up to the 7th May elections. The Day of Action has been promoted by the Community Planning Alliance, The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces, The Badger Trust, Bat Conservation Trust and Campaign to Protect Rural England.

In Haringey On Saturday 18 April, just ahead of the local elections on 7 May, twenty reps from Haringey's Friends of Parks Forum (the umbrella organisation for 65 local Friends groups across the London borough) came together in Bruce Castle Park, Tottenham, to call for urgent and effective Government action for public green spaces. They stood behind a banner which read: 'Haringey Friends Groups demand Adequate Government Funding for all parks and public green spaces'. Haringey Parks Service is suffering from years of severe maintenance and staffing cuts as a result of the Government's chronic underfunding of Local Government services throughout the UK over the last 15 years.

"Friends Groups' volunteers work hard all year in partnership with Haringey's Parks Service to help maintain, improve and protect the green spaces so vital to all our communities. Every day we are faced with the effects of inadequate and worsening maintenance and staffing levels. However, the budget situation continues to deteriorate and only Government funding can reverse this decline." Joan Curtis - Secretary, Haringey Friends of Parks Forum

Across the UK Across the UK over 200 groups and communities across the UK took part in the Day of Action. The purpose was simple: to demonstrate, visibly and collectively, that people everywhere care deeply about the natural world and want to see it protected and restored. Details: Details: https://communityplanningalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260219_Day-of-Action_Campaign-Pack_Feb26.pdf

Over 200 events took place as groups rallied to defend nature, parks and green spaces. The day included a diverse programme of independently-organised local activities including human chains along threatened green belt land, peaceful demonstrations, nature walks, protest walks to sites facing development, litter picks, community gardening and community celebrations, and family events — all aimed at celebrating local green spaces and highlighting the threats they face from neglect or development. Details of some of the events here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1ldeqoagJsk9oZM1Pm_qmid4R2-B93V0&ll=52.54118121015371%2C0.22167968750005151&z=6

Statements from some of the national organisations involved:

"Our green spaces are under unprecedented pressure. This day of action shows that communities everywhere are ready to stand up for the places that matter to them — for health, for wildlife, for heritage, for food, and for future generations. It is time for politicians to see how much they matter to voters. We urge people to join us."
Rosie Pearson, Chairman, the Community Planning Alliance (CPA)

"There is overwhelming evidence about the value of nature and green space to people's physical and mental wellbeing, as well as to a thriving economy. Yet time and time again we see politicians of all parties deride its importance to our communities. This Day of Action is an opportunity to bring people together in activities to celebrate and protect what we have and demonstrate to decision-makers why we look to them to protect and improve it."
Sally Hayns, Chief Executive Officer, The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)

"People's access to nature has never been more important for their health and well-being, but also never been more under threat - from lack of effective protection and adequate resources to be properly maintained. It's no wonder that thousands of local groups have sprung up in the last 25 years to help champion, maintain and protect the green spaces they love. We call on candidates and parties standing for election in all tiers of Government to publicly commit to ensuing all such spaces will be valued and safeguarded for generations to come."
Dave Morris - Chair, National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces (NFPGS)

"Badgers are still among the most persecuted native wild animals, and the new planning and infrastructure bill now puts their hard-won protection at risk. That is why Badger Trust is joining a wide range of wildlife, nature, and community groups for a National Day of Action on 18 April. Together, we want to show MPs, Councillors and candidates that protecting nature and wildlife matters to voters ahead of next month's elections."
Nigel Palmer, The Badger Trust

"Despite months of negative rhetoric about our wildlife, the truth is that nature continues to inspire, sustain, and unite us. We want communities to come together in a Day of Action to show local and national decision makers that nature matters."
Kit Stoner, Chief Executive, Bat Conservation Trust

Let's value Haringey's vital parks and green spaces!