Lynne Featherstone MP has expressed her support for the protection of public parks and green spaces in her constituency, Hornsey and Wood Green – and has called on Labour run-Haringey Council to improve their management of these areas.

The Big Lottery Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund last week held a UK Public Parks Summit – which brought together key decision makers and international experts. They explored ways to support local authorities and ‘Friends’ groups to secure the long term future of their public parks.

Since 1996 HLF and BIG have jointly invested over £640million in, and transformed over 700 historic public spaces.  They have awarded over £8.4million to 5 parks in Hornsey and Wood Green.

Haringey Liberal Democrat Communities spokesman, Cllr Nigel Scott said:

“Parks and green spaces are vital to Haringey – they need to be nurtured and properly maintained so that people enjoy walking in them and families have confidence that their children can play safely and enjoyably.  I am concerned that they are no longer being given the resources they require for them to be looked after properly.  It would be a tragedy if the Council lets things slide.

“It is great that the Lottery funds have provided money, but regular action is also needed from Labour-run Haringey to prevent them falling into disrepair.”

Commenting, the Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said:

“Over the past year, many constituents have contacted me about the state of our parks and green spaces. I have recently made representations to Haringey Council about Priory Park and the under-5s area in Woodside Park – both of which are in unacceptable and hazardous conditions.

“Parks matter to me because they provide safe and tranquil areas for sport, leisure, children and adults. It’s so important that we try and protect them.

“If any residents feel that their parks are not being properly looked after, they can contact me and I will push the Council to clean them up!”