Marking 100 years at the Barbican, Fields in Trust unveiled its ambitious Centenary Pledge to ensure one million more people live within a 10-minute walk of a green space by 2030, highlighting growing efforts to protect urban parks amid development pressures.
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.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/jill-scott-prince-of-wales-edinburgh-queen-netherlands-b1237539.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://fieldsintrust.org/about-us/centenary – Fields in Trust, established in 1925, has been dedicated to safeguarding parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and green spaces from urban development. Over the past century, the charity has protected thousands of spaces, including 4,000 sports pitches, 1,500 playgrounds, and 1,200 parks, ensuring that nine million people have access to a green space within a 10-minute walk of their home. The charity continues to advocate for the preservation of these vital community resources to support environmental sustainability and public health.
- https://fieldsintrust.org/about-us/news/century-of-green-spaces-protected-for-good-in-2019 – In 2019, Fields in Trust expanded its protection efforts by safeguarding 101 parks and green spaces across the UK, totaling 197.4 hectares. This initiative included the Centenary Fields programme, launched in 2014 in partnership with The Royal British Legion, which protected spaces commemorating those who fell during World War I. The charity’s ongoing work aims to ensure that these vital neighbourhood resources remain accessible for future generations, promoting physical and mental well-being within communities.
- https://investliverpool.com/news/liverpool-makes-landmark-pledge-to-protect-all-of-its-parks/ – In March 2021, Liverpool City Council announced a landmark pledge to protect all of the city’s parks and green spaces in perpetuity. This commitment, in partnership with Fields in Trust, ensures that 100 parks and green spaces, covering 1,039 hectares, will be safeguarded from development. The initiative aims to provide every resident with access to high-quality green spaces within a 10-minute walk, enhancing community well-being and preserving the city’s natural heritage.
- https://fieldsintrust.org/insights/policy-hub/park-protectors – The Parks Protector Pledge is an initiative by Fields in Trust, encouraging elected officials, including Members of Parliament and local mayors, to publicly commit to protecting and championing parks and green spaces. Signatories pledge to value these areas for their contributions to various policy agendas, advocate for their legal protection, and support community volunteers working within them. This movement aims to ensure the preservation and enhancement of green spaces for the benefit of current and future generations.
- https://growthplatform.org/news/2023/03/liverpool-signs-first-pledge-to-protect-its-parks/ – In March 2023, Liverpool City Council signed its first legally binding agreement to protect the city’s parks forever. This partnership with Fields in Trust aims to safeguard over 1,000 hectares of urban green space, ensuring that these areas remain accessible for future generations. The initiative underscores the importance of parks and green spaces for mental and physical well-being, community cohesion, and environmental sustainability, particularly in urban settings.
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/jill-scott-prince-of-wales-edinburgh-queen-netherlands-b1237539.html – Former England footballer Jill Scott has succeeded the Prince of Wales as president of Fields in Trust, a charity dedicated to protecting green spaces. Scott, who spent her childhood playing football in local parks, emphasised the importance of these areas for children’s development and community well-being. The charity’s Centenary Pledge aims to have at least one million more people living within a 10-minute walk of a green space by 2030, highlighting the critical role of accessible green spaces in urban environments.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the event occurring recently and no evidence of prior publication. The Centenary Pledge is a new initiative, indicating high freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The quotes from Jill Scott and Tony Juniper are unique to this report, with no prior matches found online.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Standard, a reputable UK news outlet. However, the article includes a link to a press release from Fields in Trust, which is typical for high freshness but may indicate a reliance on the charity’s own communications.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the Centenary Pledge and the statistics provided are consistent with Fields in Trust’s mission and recent activities. The involvement of Jill Scott as president aligns with her known advocacy for green spaces and community well-being.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of prior publication. The quotes are unique, and the source is reputable. The claims are plausible and consistent with known facts. The inclusion of a press release link is typical for high freshness but does not detract from the overall credibility.