Exeter Green Spaces Network

Response to Exeter City Council draft strategy on parks and open spaces

Exeter Green Space Network (EGSN) April 28th 2019

 

Exeter Green Space Network is a network of thirteen green space groups whose main focus is the enhancement and protection of publicly accessible green space in their neighbourhood.

 

This comprises EGSN’s collective consultation feedback on the draft parks and open spaces sections of the Draft Built Facilities, Playing Fields, Pitches Report.

 

1. We are strongly opposed to any further selling off of green space within the city. This means that we are also strongly opposed to the consultation draft report’s proposal to sell off the Northbrook pitch and putt, which has great value not just as a leisure facility (more could be made of it) but as a valuable link – for wildlife, and for walkers and cyclists –between Riverside Valley Park and Ludwell Valley Park. We think that a parks and open spaces strategy should commit to enhancing and increasing Exeter's green spaces, whether owned by the Council or others
    

2. A revised parks and open spaces strategy must include clear policies aiming for less use of pesticides and herbicides in public parks and open spaces. This should include looking at constructive and positive ways to change management regimes, notably grass management, such that few chemicals are used and more habitat is created by leaving more areas untouched or cut less often.
    

3. A parks and open spaces strategy must acknowledge the importance of multiple uses for these spaces, i.e. quiet enjoyment, strolling, playing, dog walking, as well as structured physical activities and sports. This means actively managing the potential conflicts between these uses through signage and other methods. We are concerned that the Sport England pilot is leading the Council to prioritise 'physical activity' for parks over other equally important uses.
    

4. Parks and open spaces must be underpinned by a strong biodiversity policy, so that all planting and management regimes comply with that policy. This policy must also be explicitly and clearly linked to the in-development new Tree Strategy for the Council.
    

5. Exeter City Council has made clear that it wants to take an Asset Based Community Development approach to parks and open spaces, as well as physical activities. This means not selling off public assets, being prepared to work constructively with not-for-profit organisations that seek to undertake activities in parks and open spaces that are congruent with everyone’s use and enjoyment of them. In particular, not for profit food-related offers, whether temporary or permanent, e.g. community cafés, where the food on offer is not only junk/sweet food, would be very welcome and would add real amenity and community value to our parks and open spaces.