Annabelle Ewing’s plan to protect local green spaces and parks

Green spaces are central to daily life in Ochil and South Perthshire. From village play areas and riverside paths to larger parks and woodland, these places support health, wildlife, community life and local pride. Annabelle Ewing’s approach places their long-term protection at the heart of responsible representation at Westminster.

Parks should be treated as essential community assets rather than spare land awaiting development. A strong framework would help local authorities defend valued open areas, improve access and ensure that new housing is matched by investment in trees, paths, play facilities and biodiversity.

This matters to Australians as well as Scots. Residents in Melbourne understand the value of connected parklands, Sydney communities campaign to protect bushland, and Brisbane families rely on shaded public spaces during hot summers. Across the local market, people want attractive, liveable neighbourhoods where homes, services and nature can exist together.

Keeping valued land in community hands

Annabelle Ewing would support stronger safeguards for parks, village greens, playing fields, river corridors and other well-used open spaces. Development decisions should consider the social and environmental value of land, not simply its short-term commercial price.

Community consultation must be meaningful. Local residents, schools, sports clubs and environmental groups often know which paths flood, which play areas need repairs and which habitats are under pressure. Their knowledge should shape planning decisions from the earliest stage.

Making parks healthier and more accessible

Protecting a park means maintaining it properly. Secure public funding can support safe paths, accessible entrances, seating, toilets, lighting where appropriate and inclusive play equipment. These improvements help older people, families with prams, disabled residents and anyone who depends on walking rather than driving.

The same principle applies to countryside access. Better links between settlements, parks, railway stations and local services can encourage walking and cycling while reducing congestion. Lessons from Melbourne’s shared trails and Sydney’s foreshore routes show how well-designed connections can become part of everyday life.

Supporting nature and climate resilience

Local green spaces can help address flooding, heat and declining biodiversity. Native planting, restored wetlands, healthier soils and tree cover can absorb rainwater, create wildlife habitat and make public areas more comfortable during extreme weather.

A practical approach would encourage councils and community organisations to protect pollinators, manage invasive species and choose planting that suits local conditions. In Ochil and South Perthshire, that means respecting the character of farmland, woodland, burns and historic landscapes while improving resilience for future generations.

Priority	Local benefit	Wider public value
Protect parks from unnecessary development	Retains places for recreation and community events	Supports healthier, more liveable settlements
Invest in trees, wetlands and native planting	Reduces flooding and improves habitats	Strengthens climate resilience
Improve paths and accessible facilities	Helps residents of all ages and abilities	Encourages walking and active travel
Back community stewardship	Builds local responsibility and skills	Keeps decisions close to the people affected
Connect housing with green infrastructure	Makes growth more attractive and sustainable	Balances economic recovery with environmental care

Linking green space with economic recovery

Environmental protection and economic development should reinforce each other. Well-maintained parks attract visitors, support local businesses and improve the appeal of nearby town centres. Outdoor recreation can benefit cafés, accommodation providers, shops, tradespeople and community enterprises.

Investment in planting, path maintenance and habitat restoration can also create skilled local work. This is particularly relevant when household budgets are under pressure and communities need public spending to deliver visible, lasting value. Australian cities have seen how park upgrades can support local markets and small businesses when projects are planned with residents and traders.

Giving councils the tools to act

Local authorities need stable funding and clear powers to protect open space. Short-term grants may deliver a new path or play area, but ongoing maintenance determines whether that investment remains useful ten years later.

Annabelle Ewing’s representation at Westminster would press for policies that recognise the needs of rural and semi-rural communities. Funding formulas should reflect the cost of maintaining dispersed facilities, managing natural areas and providing access across villages and smaller towns, rather than focusing only on large urban populations.

Building a shared civic responsibility

Public parks work best when councils, residents, schools, charities and local businesses share responsibility for their future. Community gardens, tree-planting days, outdoor learning and volunteer ranger schemes can strengthen local connections while improving the condition of public spaces.

This community-led model respects local knowledge without shifting essential duties away from public bodies. Volunteers can contribute time and ideas, but core maintenance, safety and access must remain properly funded. Annabelle Ewing’s plan would combine local involvement with firm public protection.

Protecting green spaces is an investment in healthier people, stronger communities and a more resilient economy. Support Annabelle Ewing’s campaign for Ochil and South Perthshire and help make parks, paths, woodland and open land a lasting priority in Scotland’s future.