TodayToday

Country ParkCountry Park What they are, what they are trying to do and a What they are, what they are trying to do and a

local examplelocal example

National Trust (NGO)National Trust (NGO) Who they are, what they do and how this helpsWho they are, what they do and how this helps

Country Parks…Country Parks… Country parks are areas of countryside, Country parks are areas of countryside,

usually near urban centres, with usually near urban centres, with recreational facilities for the public.recreational facilities for the public.

Many are redeveloped derelict industrial Many are redeveloped derelict industrial sites or have other uses such as sites or have other uses such as plantations or reservoirs.plantations or reservoirs.

Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough

Why are National Parks Why are National Parks Different to Country Parks?Different to Country Parks?

A A country parkcountry park is an area designated for people to is an area designated for people to visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside environment.environment.

There are over 270 country parks in England most of There are over 270 country parks in England most of which are owned and managed by local authorities. which are owned and managed by local authorities.

Country Parks are a lasting and popular legacy of the Country Parks are a lasting and popular legacy of the provisions of the Countryside Act 1968. provisions of the Countryside Act 1968.

Country parks receive over 70 million visitors a year Country parks receive over 70 million visitors a year and provide a wide range of opportunities for and provide a wide range of opportunities for recreation, health, education and improvements to the recreation, health, education and improvements to the quality of life particularly for local communities.quality of life particularly for local communities.

Country ParksCountry Parks Natural England is working with partners Natural England is working with partners

to encourage a "renaissance" of country to encourage a "renaissance" of country parks to ensure they are all in good shape parks to ensure they are all in good shape for the future.for the future.

In 1999, it was found that although many In 1999, it was found that although many good country parks were continuing to good country parks were continuing to improve, a significant number of poor improve, a significant number of poor parks were in decline and action was parks were in decline and action was needed to ensure that they had a better needed to ensure that they had a better future.  future. 

The White PaperThe White Paper

In the Rural White Paper (2000), the In the Rural White Paper (2000), the Countryside Agency was tasked with 'issuing Countryside Agency was tasked with 'issuing guidance on best practice to revitalise the guidance on best practice to revitalise the country parks around towns and cities'.  country parks around towns and cities'.  

The aim of this White Paper is to give local The aim of this White Paper is to give local people and local communities more influence people and local communities more influence and power to improve their lives. and power to improve their lives.

Support your country parksSupport your country parks

http://www.countryside.gov.uk/Images/Cohttp://www.countryside.gov.uk/Images/Country%20Parks%20Leaflet_tcm2-29240.untry%20Parks%20Leaflet_tcm2-29240.PDFPDF

Holt Country ParkHolt Country Park

http://www.tournorfolk.co.uk/holt.htmlhttp://www.tournorfolk.co.uk/holt.html

Holt Country Park is only a short walk from Holt Country Park is only a short walk from the historic market town of Holt on the the historic market town of Holt on the edge of the Norfolk Coast Area of edge of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It has had a chequered history, from a It has had a chequered history, from a horseracing course, heath, farmland, horseracing course, heath, farmland, forestry, and woodland garden. It has now forestry, and woodland garden. It has now been developed into a tranquil woodland been developed into a tranquil woodland dominated with Scots Pine and native dominated with Scots Pine and native broadleaves. Its rich ground flora supports broadleaves. Its rich ground flora supports an abundant display of wildlife including an abundant display of wildlife including Goldcrests, Greater Spotted Goldcrests, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Emperor Dragonflies and Woodpeckers, Emperor Dragonflies and Deer.Deer.

What it has to offer…What it has to offer… The Park contains a Visitor Centre with shop, The Park contains a Visitor Centre with shop,

toilets, and way marked walks which include an toilets, and way marked walks which include an Easy Access Trail and for the more Easy Access Trail and for the more adventurous countryside walks from 1-18miles. adventurous countryside walks from 1-18miles. When exploring the park you may stumble When exploring the park you may stumble upon a viewing tower, pond, sculptures, totem upon a viewing tower, pond, sculptures, totem pole and play area. Activities can be organised pole and play area. Activities can be organised for groups and are very popular with schools, for groups and are very popular with schools, or families can join in environmental and arts or families can join in environmental and arts events throughout the year.events throughout the year.

http://www.northnorfolk.org/news/archive2007_6191.asp

Green Flag Award SchemeGreen Flag Award Scheme

The national standard for parks and green spaces in The national standard for parks and green spaces in

England and Wales.  England and Wales.  The award scheme began in 1996 as a means of The award scheme began in 1996 as a means of

recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country.  It was also seen as a way of encouraging the country.  It was also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental others to achieve the same high environmental standards. standards.

Winning a Green Flag Awards brings excellent Winning a Green Flag Awards brings excellent publicity. Each site is judged on its own merits and publicity. Each site is judged on its own merits and suitability to the community it serves. suitability to the community it serves.

Awards are given on an annual basis and winners Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag must apply each year to renew their Green Flag status. status.

The National TrustThe National Trust The National Trust is a charity and is The National Trust is a charity and is

completely independent of Government (Non-completely independent of Government (Non-Governmental Organisation). Governmental Organisation).

Relies for income on membership fees, Relies for income on membership fees, donations etc.donations etc.

Protect and open to the public over 300 Protect and open to the public over 300 historic houses and gardens and 49 industrial historic houses and gardens and 49 industrial monuments and mills.monuments and mills.

Also: look after forests, woods, fens, beaches, Also: look after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves, villages…reserves, villages…

Operation Neptune Operation Neptune (purchase and protection of (purchase and protection of coastlines)coastlines)

The Neptune Coastline Campaign was The Neptune Coastline Campaign was launched in 1965 in a reaction to a widespread launched in 1965 in a reaction to a widespread concern at the accelerating rate of loss of coast concern at the accelerating rate of loss of coast to pressures from commercial, tourism and to pressures from commercial, tourism and housing developments. housing developments.

The Neptune Coastline Campaign was The Neptune Coastline Campaign was launched with the ambitious target of protecting launched with the ambitious target of protecting 1500 kilometres. In the 37 years since its 1500 kilometres. In the 37 years since its launch, Neptune has raised over £40 million to launch, Neptune has raised over £40 million to purchasepurchase and manage coastline. and manage coastline.

The Story so far…The Story so far…

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/w-support/w-donations/w-appeals_and_campaigns/w-donate-neptune_coastline/w-donate-neptune-sofar.htm

Attributes of the Neptune Attributes of the Neptune Coastline CampaignCoastline Campaign

It is supported by a financially sound charity It is supported by a financially sound charity independent of Government independent of Government

The Trust offer “permanent” protection to land The Trust offer “permanent” protection to land Money goes where donors want it to go: The Money goes where donors want it to go: The

Neptune Coastline Campaign covers the Neptune Coastline Campaign covers the coasts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland coasts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland but donors of funds, whether £1 or £1 million, but donors of funds, whether £1 or £1 million, are invited to say where they wish their money are invited to say where they wish their money to be spent. to be spent.

Ifs and Buts!...Ifs and Buts!... Is the Neptune Coastal Campaign still relevant?Is the Neptune Coastal Campaign still relevant? The Campaign continues to receive enormous The Campaign continues to receive enormous

support. It is on target to raise £1.5 million through support. It is on target to raise £1.5 million through donations this year. donations this year.

Can Protection of Coasts through ownership by Can Protection of Coasts through ownership by Charitable Trusts be Effective?Charitable Trusts be Effective?

ProtectionProtection through ownership by a Charitable through ownership by a Charitable TrustTrust combined with effective fiscal and regulatory policies combined with effective fiscal and regulatory policies at a at a nationalnational and european level, has proved in the and european level, has proved in the case of the Neptune Coastline Campaign to be case of the Neptune Coastline Campaign to be remarkably successful. remarkably successful.

Land Ownership and Land Ownership and ManagementManagement

RESEARCH TASK:RESEARCH TASK:

Details of the activities by the National Details of the activities by the National Trust regarding:Trust regarding:

Land ownershipLand ownership

Land ManagementLand Management