Green spaces
What this means and what we are doing
We know that green spaces can make a significant contribution to our health and wellbeing.
The evidence set out in this Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) suggests that while there are inequalities in the distribution of green space, overall Stockton-on-Tees has a high level of provision compared to other Borough's in the lower Tees Valley. Furthermore, there is no strong correlation between the quantity of green space provision and life expectancy.
Therefore, this JSNA suggests that to deliver improved health outcomes our focus should be on two main areas:
- addressing those barriers which currently discourage people from using their local green spaces
- measures to improve the quality of green spaces in those communities where this will deliver the greatest health benefits
How will we do this?
Support and encourage community-led action to increase use of local green spaces and empower communities to help shape and care for their local spaces. The Council's Powering Our Future initiative, the Place Partnership programme and (subject to a successful funding application) the Tees Urban Nature Network will all help to achieve this.
Implement measures to address anti-social behaviour and other factors that discourage people from using green spaces. Coordinated action across Council departments and with local communities is needed to help to tackle key issues and make green spaces attractive and welcoming.
Implement measures to improve the quality and accessibility of green spaces and create connected, nature-rich spaces. Externally funded schemes (including Section 106 agreements delivered through the planning process) can help to deliver new and improved green spaces.
Maintain and develop good quality play spaces, including measures to tackle significant inequalities in provision. The Council's strategy for outdoor play provision will seek to achieve this, while the new Stockton-on-Tees Waterfront urban park will provide a new 'destination' play space serving the Borough as a whole.
Provide better information on how people can access and enjoy green spaces. A series of walking and cycling trails have been developed in recent years, along with new on-site signage in parks linked to web-based information. This work should continue, in partnership with local communities.
In all cases we need to focus resources on those communities with the greatest health needs and where green spaces can make the most significant contribution to improving health outcomes.
