The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund are announcing grants totalling more than £33m that will help restore coastal towns and revitalise 13 public parks across the UK.
Five of the grants being awarded will directly benefit parks situated in coastal communities, many of which suffer from higher than average levels of deprivation.
When complete, these projects will not only provide improved green spaces for local people to enjoy but will also help attract more tourism to these areas and as a result, have a positive impact on local economies.
The coastal parks receiving grants are: Great Yarmouth’s Venetian Waterways; South Cliff Gardens in Scarborough; Ellington Park in Ramsgate; Mount Garden in Fleetwood, Lancashire; and Stanmer Park in Brighton.
HLF’s chief executive Ros Kerslake, said, on behalf of HLF and Big Lottery Fund: “It’s well-known that public parks play a vital role in our health and well-being. But for coastal communities their role is even more critical. Often a central part of their tourism offering, this investment from National Lottery players will empower local people to maximise the potential of their local park to boost local economic well-being.”
As someone involved in the maintenance of”public” areas I have to say that the main driver for change has little to do with common sense.