Parks For People

Heritage Lottery Fund Big and Lottery Fund statement on BIG’s continued funding into the joint Parks for People programme.

9 June 2010

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) remains committed to working in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in making a success of the Parks for People programme and has allocated £10 million in its grant budget for 2010/11 towards the programme in England.

BIG recognises the importance of the regeneration and conservation of public parks and the additional funding from BIG will see even more people enjoy safer and improved facilities at their local parks, bringing whole communities closer together. HLF and BIG hope this extra investment will inspire more local authorities, trusts and local communities to come forward with plans for those public parks that are most in need. The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life. In England the two Lottery Funds have been working in partnership from 2006 to deliver a multi-million pound investment in public parks. Over the three years, BIG has invested £80m (in England only) with £70m coming from HLF for the UK.

HLF is continuing to fund public park projects in 2010 with an investment of £20m each year. The next closing date for applications is 31^st August 2010. See www.hlf.org.uk for details

Heritage Lottery Fund

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.  HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK.  Website: www.hlf.org.uk

Big Lottery Fund (BIG)

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) rolls out close to £2million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours, which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project. BIG, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Further information

Please contact Laura Bates or Alison Scott, HLF Press Office, on tel: 020 7591 6027/32