Borough's green spaces to benefit from £2.1m grant

Councillor James Higginbottom says investing in parks and green spaces was more than just "improving the look" of the area

Parks and other green spaces in Barnsley are to benefit from £2.1m in government funding.

All of the borough's 21 wards will receive a share of the cash to improve play equipment, lighting, paths, signs, bins and benches.

The money comes from the local government finance settlement announced in December, which gave the council additional one-off funding.

Surveys to identify improvement sites began in June, and works are expected to be completed by March 2026 subject to the council's executive agreeing to accept the funding at a meeting on 13 August.

James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said investing in parks and green spaces was more than just "improving the look" of the area.

"It's about supporting the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of our residents.

"Our parks play a crucial role in protecting our environment by providing natural habitats for wildlife and open spaces where people can relax, socialise and exercise to help improve their wellbeing."

The council said the upgrades would support its Active in Barnsley strategy, encouraging residents to get moving and make use of outdoor spaces, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Some of the work will also align with a separate £900,000 programme funded by Sport England, aimed at breaking down barriers to physical activity.

Each of Barnsley's six Area Councils have also already received £25,000 for community projects under the Love Where You Live programme.

The new parks funding is expected to complement these local efforts and help deliver visible improvements.

While the initial investment covers the capital works, ongoing maintenance of the upgraded parks will be covered by the council's existing parks budget.

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