Press release

£1 million funding for communities to create their own pocket parks

Community groups can bid for funds to establish a new pocket park or refurbish an existing park.

plants
  • Local communities encouraged to apply for pocket parks plus grants from today
  • Up to £15,000 available to build new ‘pocket parks’ and up to £25,000 available for renovating existing parks

Green-fingered communities across England can bid for a share of £1 million fund from today (5 December 2018) to help develop their own ‘pocket parks’.

Pocket parks are small plots of land, often about the size of a tennis court, and mostly seen in urban spaces. They provide a green oasis which can help improve the physical and mental health of the communities using them.

Existing pocket parks are used for everything from a quiet escape from busy city life to physical exercise, growing vegetables, children’s play and community events.

Parks and Green Spaces Minister Rishi Sunak MP said:

Green spaces offer people a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of life to relax, keep healthy, learn about nature or spend time together with loved ones.

Not all communities enjoy access to an abundance of usable space, while some existing parks might need a bit of TLC to bring them back to life. The pocket parks plus fund will help local people to create and maintain small oases that they can take pride in and benefit from for years to come.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government welcomes grant applications for the creation of innovative as well as traditional pocket parks.

Further information

The first Pocket Parks programme was launched in February 2016.

Pocket parks are defined for this programme as a piece of land of up to 0.4 hectares, although many are around 0.02 hectares – the size of a tennis court.

Each pocket park will be an individual space tailored to the needs of the local area by the community group which has applied for the grant.

To apply, read the prospectus and download an application form. Return the completed form to pocketparkplus@communities.gov.uk. Applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 25 January 2019.

Office address and general enquiries

2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

Email correspondence@communities.gov.uk

General enquiries: please use this number if you are a member of the public 030 3444 0000

If your enquiry is related to COVID-19 please check our guidance page first before you contact us - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-government.

If you still need to contact us please use the contact form above to get in touch, because of coronavirus (COVID-19). If you send it by post it will not receive a reply within normal timescale.

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@communities.gov.uk

Please use this number if you are a journalist wishing to speak to Press Office 0303 444 1209

Published 5 December 2018