Playing fields are more than just green spaces. They are places where people’s lives can be improved – physically, mentally and socially.
An antidote to rising obesity levels, London’s playing fields can be – and are – used to address anti-social behaviour and bring communities together.
Yet, they’ve never been more vulnerable.
Since 1990, London has lost 41% of it’s grass cricket wickets and 20% of its natural turf football pitches.
Once lost, playing fields are lost forever. So, it’s vital that we protect these places where sport happens now – before it’s too late.
We are opposed to any development that leads to a loss in sports pitches.
There should be no loss of sports pitches in London. If they are lost to development, they should be replaced.
We protect playing fields by:
- Promoting London’s playing fields, including the seven we own and manage, and how they improve people’s lives. Our affordable, accessible and attractive facilities encourage more people to participate in sport and physical activity. One of the best ways to protect the capital’s playing fields is to get people to use them.
- Raising awareness of the benefits of well-managed playing fields through our Charter for Playing Fields in London. It calls on the Greater London Authority, local authorities and sporting bodies to adopt a 12-point call to action that provide long term protection for the capital’s playing fields.
- Helping community groups to resist the loss of playing fields and restore them to full use through our Fields at Risk Register. Over the last decade, this early warning system, which lists sites in imminent danger of commercial or residential development, has saved over 20 threatened sites for current and future generations of Londoners. It’s made us the first port of call for advice on protecting threatened playing fields, and an advocate for a more strategic approach to playing fields protection in local and central government.
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DONATE TODAY to help create a happier, healthier and more cohesive London by protecting London’s playing fields.
