Before the launch, came the proposal. The campaign for London to become the world’s first National Park City was the result of a wide-ranging, inclusive movement which worked across the city to build enthusiasm, excitement and support for this radical new idea.
In the 18 months leading up to the publication of the National Park City proposal paper in 2015 a movement began growing and the National Park City concept garnered support from a wide-ranging individuals and organisations. They included gardeners, climate activists, parents and grandparents hoping to create a better future for the next generation, wildlife watchers, politicians, celebrated naturalists, teachers and many more including the likes of Chris Packham, Stephen Fry, Bear Grylls, London Assembly Members, and dozens of councillors and organisations across the city.
Inspired by the UK’s 15 National Parks – dynamic landscapes which are valued, enjoyed and protected by partner organisations as well as residents and the over 100 million visitors a year they attract – the original group of friends and colleagues who formed the National Park Cities got together and posed the question: “What if we thought of our city as a National Park City?”
gaining support, gaining momentum
London has a long and proud tradition of protecting and enjoying our natural and cultural heritage. What the proposal recognised was that like many other cities around the world, we already have everything we need in London to become a National Park City.
We have an extraordinary natural heritage, but a strong culture of caring for and enjoying life in our city. A huge amount of activity – some new and innovative, much of it happening for tens and even hundreds of years – is already happening in the capital.
Millions of individuals and thousands of organisations across London take everyday and extraordinary actions to enjoy, enhance and care for the capital’s remarkable natural and cultural heritage. From the hundreds of Friends’ groups protecting their parks and other open spaces, to developers recognising the community benefits of creating high-quality green spaces.
London National Park City was a new story that was part of this long tradition – a new way of creating opportunity across the city.
a plan for action
The initial aims were to bring together Londoners to declare Greater London the world’s first National Park City – by making our capital city into a National Park City it would help:
- Ensure 100% of Londoners have free and easy access to high-quality green space
- Connect 100% of London’s children to nature
- Make the majority of London physically green
- Improve London’s air and water quality, year on year
- Improve the richness, connectivity and biodiversity of London’s habitats
- Inspire the building of affordable green homes
- Inspire new business activities
- Promote London as a Green World City
- Nurture a shared National Park City identity for Londoners
These broad aims were captured in the first draft of the Charter for London National Park City which set out the vision, aims and values of the movement; along with an outline of the structure and form it should take, how we’d work with other organisations, generate learning and action, be funded, and create all sorts of ways for millions of people to get involved every day.
so how have we done so far?
City Rangers – Originally intended to share opportunities, offer advice and connect Partnership members, we now have 150 volunteer Rangers across London
Story telling – Celebrating achievements, championing grassroots heroes, showcasing the amazing work being done across London is core to the role we play in London today, aiming to Do London Differently wherever we can.
Physical (‘National Park City Rooms’) and Online Space (‘National Park City Platform’) – With the aim of having places to meet, learn, discuss, share, innovate and be inspired, we now have our first Visitors Centre on Fleet Street, and or online Community with hundreds of active members
Funding – For small-scale projects and working within larger partnerships, we’ve been able to fund dozens of Ranger led projects across London, and we’re working in partnership with key Boroughs on new Local Nature Recovery work.
Campaigns – To encourage actions that improve both Londoners’ lives and the city, have included passionate defences of our Front Gardens and supporting Friends groups with CPRE London, and new groups like the London Fungus Network.
Charter – The early draft captured in the proposal was turned into our co-created foundational Charter for London National Park City, formally adopted in July 2019 and continues to be our guiding document today.
We’re still only in the foothills of fully realising London as National Park City, but having managed our way through the pandemic, with new core funding in place, a growing staff team, an active community for you to join, hundreds of volunteers with your help we’ll go further in making our city greener, healthier and wilder.
