Parks Strategy Survey

Closed 11 Nov 2022

Opened 28 Sep 2022

Feedback updated 21 Mar 2023

We asked

Havering Council carried out a consultation activity from September 2022 to November 2022 seeking residents’ views on our parks and open spaces.  These include Havering’s traditional parks, small open spaces, formal gardens, playing fields, country parks and allotments, which deliver a whole range of benefits for local communities; providing places to relax, exercise, hold events and to learn and to play.

We asked residents and park users to help us set out Havering’s priorities for its parks and open spaces over the next 10 years in order to meet the objectives set out in national, regional and corporate plans and policies. 

You said

1488 responses were received to the consultation.

  • The top three priorities were: 85% of respondents use them for health reasons, 80% would like to us to create more conservation areas to encourage more biodiversity and 79% would like us to provide play areas for children.
  • 90% said they felt very safe or safe in Havering’s Parks and Open Spaces.
  • The top three facilities respondents usually use when they visit are: benches and seating areas (56%), cafes and mobile catering (43%) and toilets (36%).
  • The top three reasons that respondents use our parks and open spaces are: to go for a walk (69%), to enjoy plants and trees (39%) and for peace and quiet (35%).

 

We did

The survey results have been reviewed and recorded and they will be included in a draft report to inform our new Parks Strategy.

Overview

We are really proud of the great parks and open spaces we have in Havering. They are one of the reasons people love to live in the borough.

To help us make sure they continue to be the best they can be, we want to hear the views of our residents, community and other groups to make sure they continue to meet your needs for now and in the future. 

We know that our parks and open spaces, which include traditional parks, small open spaces, formal gardens, playing fields, country parks and allotments can deliver a whole range of benefits for local communities. They provide places to relax, to exercise, to hold events, to learn and to play.

Parks play a significant role in improving an area, increasing the value of both local businesses and homes; have a significant positive effect on the health and well-being of its residents; and have a positive impact on wider impacts of health, such as employment and our local communities. Parks and green spaces also make a vital contribution to reducing climate change through the natural cooling effects of trees and vegetation and reducing carbon emissions.

Our aim is to set out Havering’s priorities for its parks and open spaces over the next 10 years in order to meet the objectives set out in national, regional and corporate plans and policies.  By putting a Parks Strategy in place, the council will ensure that these key assets are made even better and continue to make Havering a great place to live and work.

We will include the information gathered through this public engagement into a draft strategy to be presented to the Council’s Cabinet. Your views and opinions are important to us and will help the Council to make the right decisions.

We really value your input in this review, even if you do not currently use Havering’s Parks and Open spaces, we still want your views. Please take the time to complete this survey. It should take around fifteen minutes of your time.

Thank you for your participation.

Audiences

  • Residents

Interests

  • Environment