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APSE Parks Seminar 2022

Over the past two years the impact of COVID has brought about lifestyle changes to many people, whether this be working more from home or coping with social distancing requirements in the outside world. What has become clear is that COVID has had significant negative impacts on people’s health and well-being, and one of the most common ways of coping with this negativity, has been to escape into parks and greenspaces.

It has been recognised that our public parks and the wider green and blue infrastructure are continuing to play a critical role in maintaining the nation’s mental and physical health and overall wellbeing. By providing places for everyday exercise, and recreation, parks (both urban and countryside) have shown themselves to be a vital part of our lives.

Presentations:

APSE state of the market parks and the 2021 state of UK public parks report
Paul O’Brien APSE Chief Executive

The Creation of the RHS Bridgewater Garden

Marcus Chilton-Jones, Curator RHS Garden Bridgewater, The Royal Horticultural Society

‘Parks in the sky’ reimagining Manchester’s Castlefield viaduct
Duncan Laird, Head of Urban Places, The National Trust

Manchester’s park strategy 2017 – 2027 – the half way point
Kylie Ward, Parks Lead, Neighbourhoods Directorate, Manchester City Council

Lambeth’s non-chemical romance
Ian Ross, Head of Parks and Leisure Services, Lambeth Council

Introducing the Parks and Greenspaces Research Portal
Dr. Anna Barker, Associate Professor in Criminal Justice and Crimonology, University of Leeds, Dr.
Nicola Dempsey, Senior Lecturer in Landscape, Planning and Management, University of Sheffield
and Paul Todd, Green Flag award scheme manager, Keep Britain Tidy

Preserving parks in perpetuity – the Liverpool experience
Helena Cunningham, Liverpool City Council & Tamsin Fudge Head of Projects and Stewardship, Fields in Trust

Pollinator parks and their role in improving the wider ecosystem
Seamus Connolly, Group Manager Parks Development & Bereavement Services, Glasgow City Council.

Promoting excellence in public services

APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not for profit unincorporated association working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services, hosting a network for frontline service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, cemeteries and crematorium, environmental health, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.