Charter of the Southampton National Park City
OUR VISION IS TO MAKE SOUTHAMPTON A CITY WHERE PEOPLE, PLACES AND NATURE ARE BETTER CONNECTED
Let’s make Southampton a National Park City that is rich with nature and where everyone benefits from exploring, playing and learning outdoors
A city where we all enjoy high quality public and green spaces, where the air is clean to breathe and it’s a pleasure to swim in its waters
WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR BETTER:
Lives, health and wellbeing
Wildlife, trees and flowers
Places, habitats, air, water, sea and land
Time outdoors, culture, art, playing, walking, cycling and eating
Locally grown food and responsible consumption
Decisions, sharing, learning and working together
Relationships with nature and with each other
THIS CHARTER CONFIRMS THAT WE COLLECTIVELY SHARE THE AMBITION and RESPONSIBILITY AND POWER TO DELIVER THESE THINGS AND MORE
What if we restored nature wherever we can?
What if everybody could lose themselves in nature without leaving the city?
What if we shared more knowledge, ideas, tools and experiences?
What if there were more beautiful sights, smells, sounds and colours in the city?
What if we thought more about those who will be living in the city seven generations from now?
What if there was more celebration and spontaneity?
What if we did more things to care for the people, places and nature we are interdependent with?
What if everyone who lived here could feel that they belonged and feel connected to a vibrant community?
This Charter draws from the principles and aspirations of the Universal Charter for National Park Cities which aims to inspire others to follow London’s lead
By signing this document I/we pledge to play an active role in making the Southampton National Park City a success.
SIGNATORIES
1. Milo Maguire, Freemantle, Initiator and nature enthusiast
2. Dr Christelle Blunden, GP and coordinator for Southampton National Park City
Southampton should be a National Park City because what that means is people in the city living their best lives and feeling connected to the place and to their communities. The re are so many potential benefits for health and also to the wellbeing of our non-human neighbours who support our lives in so many ways
3. Helen Burdfield, Highfield, fundraising and marketing coordinator
Greening spaces within the city, connecting green areas with wildlife corridors, and promoting a better local ecosystem will benefit residents, business and wildlife.
4. Margaret Booker, coordinator, Front gardens plus St Denys
5. Alex Ivancevic, Weston, Southampton Community Connect
Because I wish to see Southampton a greener, healthier, and more pleasant city for all.
6. Michelle Smith, Theatre for life
The breadth of open parks and green spaces in Southampton allows communities to enjoy the benefits of nature with a focus on environmental sustainability. Greener living is at the forefront of the City with dedicated organisations working towards net zero by 2050. The areas of conservation allow communities to enjoy nature in an urban setting, helping to promote healthier lifestyle choices and outdoor activities.
7. Parvin Damani, Chair of the Muslim Council of Southampton and former mayor
8. Luke Blunden, Shirley, University of Southampton Sustainable Energy Research group
For more high quality public spaces, using pockets of land creatively, for community benefit
9. Simon James, Transition Southampton
Becoming a National Park City would help frame and inform local decisions to help us all create a healthy livable city.
10. Pat Hawkins, Peartree church
11. Louise Meek, STAMP
Because the green areas in the city are so inviting and looked after. In the spring and summer it’s wonderful to see the new flowers and designs that have been put in place.
12. Elizabeth Terraz, Eco schools coordinator, Swaythling primary school
For the health benefits, both mental & physical for everyone in our city and to play our part in helping to fix the environmental crises we are in.
13. Matt Wegner, St Denys boat club
14. Helen Fisher, Energise me
To enable Southampton to be a place where we all feel safe and are encouraged to be active
15. Irene MacWilliam, Friends of Town Quay Park
To celebrate & protect our amazing parks, Common & green spaces particularly as the city grows in size; to increase & develop more joined up green space for the benefit of wildlife and the health & wellbeing of all of Southampton’s human population.
16. Chloe Forbes, Ropewalk community gardens, St Marys
17. Zsofia Bujaki
The greener the better 🙂 More trees and green places can improve not only the condition of air, but our mental well being too.
18. Tony Bunday, Friends of Riverside Park, Bitterne Park
It is the most wooded City in Europe. Has great water access and great bio-diversity. That should be celebrated, preserved, protected and enhanced.
19. Robin Wilson, GIS engineer, Coxford
20. Ruth Pitts
There are many children in our city who do not get the chance very often to leave it. Having more green spaces that are natural and where nature thrives is important for our children’s well being and to help instil a love of nature so they are enriched but will want to protect it too.
21. Andy Barker, Butterfly Conservation (Hants&IOW)
It probably has the most butterfly species of any UK city.
22. Louise Owen, Kingfisher swimmers and Southampton woodcraft folk
23. Charlotte Webb
To take care of our Environment is the sign of a civilised society and a healthy environment enriches the quality of our daily lives.
24. Stephen Edwards
For a healthier, more sustainable city and a more attractive environment in which to live
25. Kathi Iason, Millbrook matters
26. Liz Batten, Bitterne Park Growing places
To honour the green and blue spaces; to give everyone beauty in their lives and space to walk, run, cycle and play; to give plant life and wildlife more connected corridors so that they too can flourish and thrive, just like us!
27. John Sanders, Southampton Heritage Foundation
Would recognise Southampton as the “Green City” that it is
28. Hilde Gronsberg, Friends of St James Park
29. Sarah Bogle, ward councillor for Bargate
It already has amazing green spaces but also struggles with air quality – a great opportunity to put the city on the map
30. Peter Griffiths
The natural heritage of the city in its parks and green spaces is already fantastic- this should be acknowledged and further cultivated
31. Jack Wilson, See Southampton
32. Cllr Lisa Mitchell, shadow cabinet member for green city
A better future for all and to maximise our fortunate geographical position in terms of parks and water access
33. Dr Yaso Browne, Clinical Lead, Homeless Healthcare Southampton
I support the proposers beliefs in the human need for nature
34. John Wood, Hedge End
Southampton has an abundance of parks and open areas available for its citizens to enjoy.
35. Chris Zardis, shop local Southampton
36. Gordon Cooper, Cllr for Portswood
To extend the concept of creating and maintaining green spaces for a city population.
37. Rev Dr Sarah Hall, Avenue St Andrew’s United Reformed Church
Every community needs its green spaces, and the rest of creation needs its habitats too.
38. Yusuf Khan
Southampton is a green city and place of outstanding beauty.
39. Clare Diaper, October books
40. Cllr Christopher Hammond, Midanbury
41. Sally Cosstick
Such beautiful parks throughout the City – today I walked around the autumnal 🍂🍂 Common.. we’re so lucky..
42. Jim Halliday
To promote nature
43. Romana Syed, Ropewalk community garden
44. Christiane Charlton, local resident, West End
I prefer Natural landscapes to concrete jungles
45. Cllr Matt Renyard, Coxford
Southampton has some amazing open spaces and parks it is right that we recognise their importance to our city and protect them for future generations.
46. Jo Bailey
To acknowledge the importance of existing great parks, make them even bigger and better, and safeguard them for the future. We also need to improve our air quality.
47. Salma Sabour, seed bomb creator, Portswood
48. Cllr Barrie Margetts, Shirley
We have a great range of parks already and building more green spaces in our city will be a big boost for the health and well-being of our residents
49. Alison Spottiswoode, Southampton Quaker meeting
I think access to nature is good for mental health and an awareness of the natural world encourages us to take care of it.
50. Steve Johnson
Southampton’s green spaces are a treasure and the unique green corridors combine to make a city that is green at heart. If this can be grown, nurtured and cherished it will be a natural resource of immense benefit, depth and value to nature, residents and visitors and add to the broad landscape that is the City of Southampton
51. Alex Winning, Swaythling
A better future for all and to maximise our fortunate geographical position in terms of parks and water access
52. Angela Cotton, Transition Southampton and Southampton and District Green Party
53. Diana Barnes
To preserve the lovely parks we have, so good for our physical and mental health
54. Peter Davis
The city should maximise every opportunity for wildlife to establish itself and thrive everywhere it can.
55. Pathik Pathak, director, University of Southampton social impact lab
56. Jasmin Crockett, artist
It’s a chance for people to connect with the natural world, which is desperately needed if we want to survive the climate crisis and learn to live in new and less destructive ways. It will make people feel better, mentally and physically and enjoy the public space more. It will be better for air quality and biodiversity. There are so many reasons.
57. Roger Munford, West Solent solar coop
Every city should be a National Park city. Southampton would benefit me the most
58. Isabelle Vergeron, Ropewalk community gardens
59. Cllr Toqueer Kataria, Bevois ward
Healthy lives matter, good for the environment, residents and visitors. Will encourage future generations to do more for a greener Southampton
60. Hannah Cleaver, Children’s mental health nurse
Our own self-worth is embedded in the health, sustainability and worth of our environment.
61. Cllr Matt Bunday, Bitterne Park
It has so many amazing parks and open spaces… and all were a life saver during the pandemic.
62. Philip Budd, Chair of Southampton Natural History Society
I think that Southampton already possesses a wealth of varied open spaces representing most habitat types in southern England, more tree cover than most other cities, over 10% open space altogether and a correspondingly rich flora and fauna.
63. Paul Lewzey, Bitterne
Because it matters that we are in tune with our environment in Southampton.
64. Katherine Barbour, Green party
It will enhance our shift away from car based travel and celebrate our green spaces
65. Tamsin Hill, Nurse practitioner and Green Impact lead, The Old Fire Station surgery
66. Barbara Claridge, Highfield residents’ association
Southampton as a National Park City would mean a better natural environment for residents and visitors alike; it would give communities a feeling of care and responsibility for their place; it would encourage ownership of the of the spaces around us and how they can be improved; it be for children and adults alike.
67. Sean Barton, Sholing
This is a chance to begin to enhance and incorporate the forward thinking green city culture into the wider areas outside of the locality. Working and sharing ideas with other local and national partners to promote current policies to create new and exciting ideas from ‘grass root’ to boardroom level for future generations.
68. Hannah Sillince, Lordswood
To give every person in Southampton the opportunity to live a healthy and happy life with access to greenery and space regardless of where they live.
69. J Wakeling
To become the best version of itself
70. Laura Phlllips
To encourage better use of our green spaces
71. Eamonn Keogh, Veracity Recreation Ground Trust
72. Richard Pitt, Aldermoor Community Farm
I think we should become a National Park City because it is worth working towards a city that is rich with nature, with high quality public and green spaces, with air that is clean to breathe and waters that are a pleasure to swim in.
73. Tony Boyle, local architect
Southampton benefits from a stunning geographical location and is blessed with some wonderful green spaces and a motivated population to further ‘green’ the city.
74. Richard Strange, musician
75. Cllr Lorna Fielker, Flowers Estate
76. Christine Stockton, local resident
Southampton has so many beautiful parks, big and small, which are a credit to our historic city. They range from the more formal beautifully kept parks, to the more wild, natural areas and woods to explore. Our parks attract wildlife, birds, bees and butterflies and provide so much pleasure as well as learning opportunities. There isn’t an area of the city that hasn’t an opportunity for people to find a bit of nature to explore, and becoming a National Park city would enable even more people to enjoy the opportunities around us.
77. Kate Proh, Business South
Southampton is a city bursting with opportunity and full of natural assets. By making it a National Park City we will be amplifying the great things about Southampton and raising awareness to the wonderful culture and parklands the city has to offer.
78. Maggie O’Connor, sing for Earth choir
79. Cllr Sally Spicer, Redbridge
To really put Southampton on the map to show off our great open spaces across the city.
80. Phine Dahle, Southampton counselling and psychotherapy practice
Because it’ll be focused more on health of people and nature which we need for our survival
81. Jonathan Dellow, Southampton cycling campaign
Improving the natural environment within the city and promoting the use of outdoor space goes hand in hand with promoting cycling as a clean green, economical activity for commuting, leisure and fitness. So Southampton Cycling Campaign are happy to endorse the charter
82. Dr Karen Malone, Woolston and Townhill primary care network
83. Prof Denise Baden, University of Southampton department of sustainable business and local author
It has lots of wonderful parks and green spaces. I live here and would be proud of our participation
84. Richard Summers, urban designer
so that everyone can enjoy nature wherever they live
85. Prof Hazel Inskip, Bassett
86. Alex Templeton
We have a head start and knowledge and experience in the city
87. Sarah Shameti, Regeneration – PEER Youth Service
Green Space is essential for positive wellbeing on so many levels and as a youth service we know that young people engage well when outdoors and surrounded by open space and an environment that represents growth. Parks enable education, activity and overall positive wellbeing, bring this opportunity to those living in the city is a step towards improving health equality.
88. Christopher Gutteridge, website designer
89. Cllr Mike Denness, Bevois
90. Jim Mitchell, New Forest National Park Authority
Healthy place and healthy people
91. Andy Frampton, Bitterne
92. Charlotte Gardner, Highfield
93. Sue Blatchford, Former Mayor, Woodland Trust Life Member, Sholing
As the City continues to grow all our green spaces , whether parks, pocket parks or greenways are essential to everyones’ wellbeing and to nature itself
94. Russell Brewer, surestart gardener
Hugely beneficial in the present and for future generations, and will hopefully provide some involvement and pride in our streets and open spaces.
95. Cllr Vivienne Windle, Freemantle
Southampton is known for its parks and its Common. The Central Parks are a major feature of the City Centre. Visitors say that the parks are one of the reasons that they choose to visit the City of Southampton.
96. Rhiannon Jones, University of Southampton Greenprint project
97. Mac Ince, Sholing Valleys Study Centre
It will bring a focus for several groups that don’t currently partner with each other. We have already seen the benefits of the connections, and hope that it will make our organisation more relevant to the local community.
98. Debbie Chase, Director pf Public Health for Southampton
I wholeheartedly support the National Park City vision because of the huge benefits to health from connecting with nature and the alignment with our public health aim to make Southampton a healthy place to live and work.
99. Sophie Ford, Southampton Hub
100. John Savage, Cllr for St Denys
Improved, healthy habitat and lifestyle for all, to support the planet and individual health and wellbeing.
101. Paul Maple, Global Documentary
Because creating a sustainable city is good for nature and ourselves
102. Carolyn Barnes, cooperative gardening
I believe we need to care for and be proud of our city and being a NPC helps to achieve this
103. Mark Meredith, photographer
104. Denise Long, Friends of Portswood Rec
To ensure that we have a safe, clean, sustainable city which is rich in wildlife and has plenty of healthy outdoor spaces for its citizens
105. Tim Miller, Bouldershack climbing gym
I’m struggling to think of a single reason why we shouldn’t.
106. Hilary Makin, New Forest National Park Authority
107. Keririe Draghi
To tackle pollution
108. Marcus Grace, University of Southampton biohub
To show that people in Southampton really care about our connection and engagement with nature.
109. Jill Doubleday, pollinating peartree
110. Paul Kenney, Labour Candidate for Harefield Ward
I believe that we need to have a greener and cleaner city
111. Ruth Eastwood, Southern Policy Centre
Southern Policy Centre strongly supports the idea that people and nature should be better connected and are delighted to support the campaign to make Southampton a National Park City.
112. Joanne Hooker, Solent University
Southampton prides itself on its green spaces and this project allows our community to come together and develop the concept into the wider concept of sustainability, ecology and environmental development. It ties in beautifully with Solent University’s mission to the local community and also with the City of Culture bid. It also gives our students an opportunity to get involved in the local community. It really is a virtuous circle that keeps giving positives to everyone.
113. Jackie Willis, Hardmore Early Years Centre
114. Darren Bray, Studio Bad architects
All urban conditions require urban greening as much as possible, Southampton is one of the most polluted cities in the UK so it desperately needs to become a national park city.
115. Emma Kerrigan-Draper, Headteacher, Mount Pleasant junior school
Living and working in a city does not mean that people should forego the benefits of exposure and access to natural and green areas. Wildlife corridors and green pathways run throughout our city – we could make so much more of them, benefiting everyone and every living thing.
116. Phil Tyler, Positive Money Southampton
117. Tina Lang, Totton College
Better outcomes for all
118. Ian Loynes, SPECTRUM CIL
Makes it a nice place to live & work
119. Holly Jenkins, marine biologist and mentor at SOS UK
120. Graham Gowman, UK Men’s Shed Association Southampton Ambassdor
Enhancing our environment must be one of the most important things we can do in our lives. Enhancing our lives through involvement with our environment and in the company of others must be our life’s aim.
121. Mark Hancock, Transition Southampton
Mental health, air quality and physical health. community. Lower noise. Ease of active travel
122. Cara Headon, Abri housing association
123. Lyn Brayshaw, Friends of the Earth Southampton
Why on earth not?!
124. Michelle Bezant, local resident
We are very lucky too have so many open green spaces, woodlands, parks in Southampton. I would personally like to see more planting of trees, in all neighbourhoods in Southampton.
125. Joseph Cox, Southampton and District Green Party
126. Charlotte Stuart, local resident
Southampton is one of the most air-polluted cities so anything that can make this city healthier and greener is a plus.
127. Jemma Godel, Yarrow Heights school
To develop a city that looks nice with natural beauty, produces a greener environment and supports children and adults to become involved with their local community
128. Angela Chicken, poet
129. Alistair Chaplin, Southampton Street Space
It would help people appreciate and protect our lovely green city that provides the link between southern England’s two major national parks, the South downs and the new forest.
130. Alaa Ahmed, University of Southampton
I believe that it is very important for people to be surrounded by nature in their daily lives as it is not only physically beneficially but also mentally it helps people relax and de-stress, in addition to the environmental merits of caring for green spaces such as helping reduce the effects of pollution and climate change. Southampton is blessed with so much greenery making it more than suitable for such an initiative.
131. Marty Climenhaga, Friends of Freemantle Lake Park
132. Rosie Newey, Southampton Greenpeace
We have beautiful parks already but we also have a severe traffic problem. we need to prioritise parks to push toward a better greener city
133. Stephen Connolly
It would better connect all the commons and parks in Southampton so that ever one can enjoy and feel part of nature
134. Anna Boella, artist
135. Lori Foster, Southampton Coronavirus Mutual Aid Group
To improve the connection between community and space – to ensure there are places for everyone to enjoy to reduce loneliness
136. John Spottiswoode, Southampton & district Green party
We need to make the most of our green spaces and develop a city that is in tune with nature making it a much more pleasant place to live and work.
137. Rebecca Kinge, Southampton collective
138. Lynsey Watt, senior lecturer, Solent University
To benefit everyone in their physical and mental wellbeing
139. Pippa Grey, Community Gardener TWICS & Big Local SO18
During lockdown, cycling into city was a pleasure, clean air, less traffic & birdsong – Southampton has the potential to be a greener city with cleaner air and waterways, wildlife corridors, a network of mini meadows & orchards, urban growing spaces
140. Ziggy Woodward, Friends of Bitterne Station
141. Christabel Watts, Environment centre
I was drawn to move to and study in Southampton because of all of the green spaces, I would love for these to be developed and celebrated further.
142. Ivelina Paldemova
With the airport, we need more environment in the city
143. Russell Farley, manager, Southampton City Farm
144. Colin Barnett, Polygon growing spaces
Southampton was devastated during the war leaving the quality of the built environment wanting. Waterfront access is marginal. The reason to be proud of this city is neither its built environment nor its waterside location… the parks and green spaces however… that’s a different story. This is something to be proud of and unifying these under the moniker of National Park City is something to make a reality
145. Manthan Pathak, coordinator
Becoming a National Park City asks of us all an essential question that has not yet been asked: would you buy a ticket to visit the city you live and work in? If the answer is no, then let’s change that. I believe it is possible
146. Claudia Murg, We Make Southampton
147. Alan Gibson, Urbane Forager
To celebrate our proud city’s green heritage and to better engage our residents with nature as a way to help improve mental/physical health and help to gradually turn the tide of unnecessary car driving.
148. Jo Proctor, SO18 Big Local
Wildlife and people alike all need green and blue spaces to enjoy, to benefit from and to thrive in.
149. Mike Weeks, Marlhill Copse
150. Dr Roberta Comunian, Friends of Bitterne Park Station
Because it is important that we start valuing the amazing spaces we have and practice tender loving care on the ones that need our support as a community
151. Jack Pinkney, student at solent University
For everyone to enjoy nature on their doorstep.
152. Ros Cassy, Old Town Community Forum
153. Cheryl Kirsten
Population growth will force us to live closer together – this could be a high stress volatile situation, but with plenty urban nature, green spaces, wildlife and clean air, urban living could be delightful and restorative, leaving large areas of wild corridors for nature to recover and biodiversity to strengthen.
154. Ulrike Munford, Highfield
It has relatively more green spaces than any other city I know, including the best park (Common) I have ever seen.
155. Rob Trent, AccessAdvisr
156. Manisha Gurung, Campus Collective (Southampton University)
Greater impact on wellbeing than others might think. Beneficial for children education and interest. Helpful to biodiversity and wildlife around the city.
157. Councillor Warwick Payne
Southampton’s green spaces are a jewel in the crown, and this would provide an opportunity to bridge the gap between the New Forest and South Downs National Parks.
158. Gavin Millar, St Denys
To become a greener, safer, more ecologically sustainable, and welcoming shared space which fully supports the entire community, active travel, and biodiversity.
159. Katy Daley-Yates, Freelance arts producer
160. Ceri Dunn, Highfield
So that everyone, no matter which part of the city they live in, can enjoy all the benefits of natural spaces, including cleaner air.
161. Barbara Claridge, Highfield
To make Southampton a better place – to live, work and grow
162. Cath Watkins, SO14
To recognise the our existing parks and commons and encourage development of new public open spaces
163. Tracey Scallan, SO17
To celebrate and maintain all the many open spaces in Southampton
164. Hannah Coombs, Cllr for Shirley
To improve its already brilliant green spaces and the routes to get to them.
165. Jan Plumb, Millbrook
The delicate ecosystem of the myriad of green spaces in Southampton needs protection so we can all enjoy them – humans, animals and insects alike. Let the legacy we leave our children and grandchildren be one to make them proud.
166. Claudia Murg, Bitterne Park, We Make Southampton CIC
Because it can and it should! We have so many under-used green spaces and so much isolation and loneliness in the city.
167. Cllr Darren Paffey, Bitterne Park
168. Sue, Bitterne Park
This would bring together all the various council and community run initiatives into one place, and work towards a better, greener, more coordinated city
169. Helen Cooper, Freemantle
Because Nature and Wild spaces help our physical, mental , emotional and spiritual wellbeing, they are essential for helping us reclaim our sense of proportion in the web of life against a backdrop of social unease and fear and loss of faith in the future. National park city status shows that enough people want to take actions to redress the balance and work towards a common goal that will deliver an environment that having access to should be a basic human right. It is nature that will rehumanise us, in contrast to the systems that tend to dehumanise us.
170. Cllr J Rayment, Bevois
171. Jacqueline Rolls, Willow and Crafts, Mansbridge
It’s a amazing space full of wildlife and. It’s so good for people’s wellbeing.
172. Kim Emery, Friends of Shirley Pond Park
173. Nick Lohinski, Shirley
It has an abundance of wild spaces sadly neglected
174. Steve Leggett, Councillor for Freemantle
It is an important part of the cities’ green city agenda and climate emergency
175. Jo Scallan, Highfield
176. Andri Christodoulou, University of Southampton wilder citizens project, Central Southampton
Southampton has so many green spaces that could be used to maximise children’s exposure to nature and the outdoors, and becoming a National Park city would provide a strong basis for expanding, and exploring further how green spaces can be used to support children’s and adults’ development of pro-environmental behaviours and to support their mental wellbeing.
177. Steve George, Highfield
If we are honest, Southampton lacks an architectural heritage. Many old buildings have been knocked down to build flats (e.g. Winn Rd) or destroyed in the war, so let’s make Southampton famous for its green spaces!
178. Carol Thomas, Portswood
It has beautiful green spaces which have such a positive effect on everyone using them
179. Clare Grant, Mayfield Nurseries
To protect and promote our wonderful green spaces, and bring the community together to make Southampton a greener, healthier and more sustainable place to live in the years to come.
180. Andrew Taylor, Shirley
So that green spaces and biodiversity can be further encouraged to the benefit of all who live in the City.
181. Jay Bassi, Ocean village
Great opportunity for people to be informed about how nature is extremely important for our way of living and for future generations to appreciate and respect nature and take better care of the environment around us.
182. Rohan Thakrar, Portswood
To encourage nature to thrive which will allow Southampton’s people to be healthier and happier.
183. Qamruzzama Sayed, Golden Grove
More green less pollution better for new generations
184. Marcelle Bitimbhe, St Marys
Because we love nature and work hard to keep the balance for every ecosystem.
185. Violetta Liszka, SO14
we need more green spaces, more wildlife, etc.
186. Teresa Dodkin, Solent University residence hub
Because outside green spaces allow everyone to clear their minds, breathe and move on with their day.
187. Philippa Klaschka, Stride Treglown (architects)
This would support an increase in ‘grey to green’ which supports biodiversity and wellness of the city population.
188. Sarah Dockree, Friends of Daisy dip
To ensure everyone has access to outdoor space and can enjoy all of the benefits that go with that.
189. Steve Guppy on behalf of Southampton City council
Southampton City Council is committed to protecting and enhancing our natural environment for the benefit of wildlife and the health and wellbeing of our communities. We recognise that this can only be achieved by working in partnership with residents, business and other stakeholders. Seeking and achieving National Park City status promises to help us deliver our own goals and ensure Southampton will be a better place for present and future generations.
190. Lisa Hodges, Freemantle
It holds the city more accountable to look after our green spaces
191. Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, Homegrown SO14
Southampton is a beautiful, green city but parts of the city do not have sufficient access to green space or play equipment. The NPC status would enable greater appreciation of the green spaces we do have, and facilitate increased access and provision where we don’t.
192. Rebecca Handley, GO Southampton
Southampton has a rich resource through its green open spaces and has an opportunity to bring wider economic, environmental and social benefits by raising the profile of the city as a National Park City. It encourages the city to create spaces that are safe and welcoming and where visitors/residents want to dwell and visit.
193. Caroline Carlin, Southampton football club
Southampton is really well placed as a South Coast city to inspire people to get outdoors, connecting with nature, feeling the benefits of embracing and enhancing our open spaces, parks and gardens. As a football club in the heart of Southampton City Centre we are committed to delivering and supporting projects and initiatives that help make Southampton a cleaner, greener and more sustainable city for our communities and fans to thrive. We believe that there is so much potential to work together to create more opportunities for people to enjoy wildlife, clean fresh air and to boost biodiversity in and around the whole city as well. The physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature are immeasurable, and as such the Southampton residents and visitors of today and for future generations to come would truly welcome the positive impact of what the enhancement to our outdoor spaces would bring.
194. Kirsteen Anderssen, Junior Conservationists
To help raise the profile of environmental issues within the city and encourage people and businesses to respect the land and it’s ecosystem and live in a more sustainable manner.
195. Richard Blackman, Lib Dem Cllr for Bassett
It is so important that we retain our connection to nature, and the Southampton National Park City Charter provides an excellent framework to ensure that we can.
196. Louise Govier, Artswork
We all need access to green outdoor spaces, particularly children and young people and now more than ever. Artswork is committed to empowering children and young people through creativity, and to helping improve their wellbeing – parks are places that help with both of these aims.
197. Martin Clarke, Bitterne
To spotlight the need to use open spaces more creatively to improve biodiversity and create greater interaction between people and green spaces.
198. Joelle Hawes, Portswood
Because we desperately need greener and cleaner cities, more education and projects more than ever with climate change on the horizon. Also for people’s mental health, especially young people who I fear are suffering the most right now.
199. Olivia, Shirley
It would be great for the city and the environment
200. Veronica Gordon, Our Version Media CIC
201. Simon Foster, Freemantle
Because we need to protect the green spaces in Southampton
202. Bethia Evans, Shirley
Why wouldn’t we? It will give more importance to nature, make nature more accessible and enrich our lives, giving rise to lots of little community projects
203. Chris Selfe, Lordshill roadrunners
Green space is essential for our well being
204. Timothy Sly, Inner Avenue
As a member of a local running club we make extensive use of Southampton’s open spaces for our training (the Common, sports center and surrounding area, Riverside Park etc.) – anything that can protect and enhance them is to be welcomed.
205. Kasuni Amarasinghe, Solent University
It will protect the nature of the city more and bring its people together more.
206. Michele D’Agostino, Highfield
Because I love nature