The charity Fields in Trust marked its 100th anniversary with a high-profile event at the Barbican in London, which brought together key figures from Britain’s sporting and environmental sectors. Central to the celebration was the launch of the Centenary Pledge, an ambitious initiative aiming to ensure that at least one million more people will live within a 10-minute walk of a green space by 2030. This pledge highlights the increasing importance of accessible green spaces for urban communities, promoting both physical and mental well-being.

Founded in 1925, Fields in Trust has a rich history of safeguarding parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and other green spaces against urban development pressures. Over the past century, the charity has protected thousands of these areas, including 4,000 sports pitches, 1,500 playgrounds, and 1,200 parks, providing nearly nine million people with nearby access to greenery. The organisation’s work, rooted in both environmental sustainability and public health, continues as it pushes to expand this access further through its current pledge.

In recent years, the charity has extended its efforts to safeguard meaningful community spaces. One notable initiative is the Centenary Fields programme, started in 2014 in partnership with The Royal British Legion, which preserves spaces that commemorate those who fell during World War I. In 2019 alone, Fields in Trust protected 101 parks and green spaces across the UK, covering almost 200 hectares. Such work ensures that these spaces remain unthreatened by development, supporting their role as vital neighborhood resources for generations to come.

Local governments have increasingly collaborated with Fields in Trust to secure green spaces legally and permanently. For example, Liverpool City Council made landmark pledges to protect all of its parks in perpetuity, covering over 1,000 hectares. In 2023, the city signed a legally binding agreement with the charity to safeguard these urban green spaces, recognising their essential contribution to community well-being, environmental quality, and social cohesion.

The Centenary Pledge also builds on broader advocacy efforts like the Parks Protector Pledge, which encourages elected officials across the UK to commit publicly to defending parks and green spaces. This initiative enlists MPs, mayors, and other leaders to value and protect these areas legally while supporting community volunteers who maintain them. Together, these measures form a comprehensive strategy to ensure enduring protection and enjoyment of green spaces amid ongoing urbanisation pressures.

Leading Fields in Trust’s next chapter is former England footballer Jill Scott, who has taken over as president from the Prince of Wales. Scott drew on her personal experience of playing in local parks during her childhood to emphasise the profound impact these spaces have on children’s development and community health. Her presidency underscores the charity’s mission to make green spaces accessible to more people and to highlight their critical role within urban environments.

📌 Reference Map:

  • Paragraph 1 – [1]
  • Paragraph 2 – [2]
  • Paragraph 3 – [3]
  • Paragraph 4 – [4], [6]
  • Paragraph 5 – [5]
  • Paragraph 6 – [7]

Source: Noah Wire Services