About Parks for Life and IUPGSA
Find out more about Parks for Life and the International Urban Parks and Green Space Alliance (IUPGSA).
Who We Are
Our aim is simple: to develop a global understanding of the core values of urban parks and green spaces, regardless of scale or form, through: Leadership, Knowledge, Innovation, Standards, Advocacy, Networking , Professionalism and Research.
The Founding Organisations who form the International Urban Parks and Green Spaces Alliance – City Parks Alliance, GreenSpace, and Parks Forum - have recognised the emerging need for an appropriate international body that reflects their shared and common objectives whilst respecting the role that these entities play in their regions or countries. These organisations have been joined by the International Federation of Parks and Recreation Administration (IFPRA); the (US) National Recreation and Park Administration (NRPA); and the National Recreation and Park Association (NZRA).
Vision
World Network
A world network of urban parks and green spaces that are strongly supported and valued by their communities and their governing bodies which are committed to best-practice park management in meeting the social, environmental, cultural, and economic needs of their communities.
Our Objectives
The common objectives of the International Urban Parks and green spaces Alliance are:
1. To develop a global agenda relating to the delivery of goals, core values and the essential benefits of urban parks and green spaces towards liveable communities.
2. To advance the professional delivery of best practice urban parks and green spaces programmes and services through leadership, networking, benchmarking, research and advocacy.
3. To create a diverse global network of parks and green spaces organisations that provides individual urban park organisation support through exchange of professional knowledge, peer review and pooling of professional resources, and for the overall benefit of member organisations.
The Founding Organizations
GreenSpace, UK
GreenSpace aims to be the UK’s leading advocate for the economic, social and environmental benefits of better planned, designed and managed parks, gardens and green spaces and for their positive contribution to our economic, physical and spiritual health, to social cohesion and to biodiversity.
GreenSpace works towards achieving a network of easily accessible, safe, attractive and welcoming parks, gardens and green spaces which meet the needs of everyone and which contribute to the economic, social and environmental well-being of people and places, now and for future generations.
City Parks Alliance, USA
City Parks Alliance is a national organization comprised of city parks leaders from across the country who work together to strengthen America's city parks. The organization has been in formation over the past several years in response to a broad-based movement of city park advocates who recognize the critical role parks play in the revitalization of our cities.
The mission of City Parks Alliance is to create vibrant and healthy parks and green spaces that contribute to sustainable cities by organizing, facilitating and nurturing a broad-based movement.
Parks Forum, Australia and New Zealand
Parks Forum is the peak industry association for parks management agencies throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Incorporated in 2004, our organisation represents agencies which have the responsibility for management and stewardship of the range of parks across the spectrum from smaller urban parklands and forests through to larger wilderness areas.
Our fundamental purpose is to enhance and increase the vital range of environmental, social and economic benefits that parks provide to the community.
Background of the Parks for Life Movement
Reading 2006
This inaugural meeting that brought together a range of organisations to discuss international collaboration and benefits regarding urban parks and greenspace management. It was agreed between the City Parks Alliance, GreenSpace and Parks Forum to establish an international working group chaired by Steve Coleman (CPA). The orgnaisations who participated in this meeting were:
- Parks Forum
- GreenSpace
- City Parks Alliance
- International Federation of Parks and Recreation Administration (IFPRA)
- The Royal Parks Agency (UK)
- Parks Victoria (Australia)
- Natural England (UK)
- Centennial Parklands (Australia)
Dublin 2007
At the Dublin Workshop (2007) of the IUPGSA, an agenda was developed to take forward international collaboration. The agreed Dublin Agenda was:
- Call to Action: A statement that would define the need for parks in urban and peri-urban settings. A simple statement with three or four clear areas of international co-operation that would support the work of existing entities and agencies.
- Define the Values: A document that supports and underpins the “Call to Action” statement. This document would combine the existing work by entities and agencies and would have a international flavour, feel and focus.
- Parks Week: Develop a International day/week that would enable the key “Call to Action” statement and agenda be communicated to key individuals and organisations with influence.
- Communication (between Agencies): Develop collaboration and sharing between agencies that would build upon “Call to Action”, “Define the Values” and “Parks Week”. This would be achieved through a common web portal that enabled sharing of best practice, research and reports. Initially this would build upon existing peak organisation web sites and a parks week web portal.
- Standards: Develop a common understanding and basis for park management comparison that would eventually lead to improved park servcies and quality for the community
- Funding – New Model: Develop and share ideas regarding ways to tackle the adequacy of funding for parks.