A new report from the Association for Public Sector Excellence explores how local authorities are protecting and improving their greenspaces through various interventions from urban greening projects to wildflower meadows and tree planting. It includes best practice case studies as well as guidance on park adaptations. Read the full report here.
Summary of why a new approach is needed
Current practice:
Large areas of urban green space are kept as closely mown amenity grass, which requires frequent mowing, irrigation, fertiliser, and herbicide use.
Problems with the status quo:
- High maintenance and water demand are unsustainable as temperatures rise and droughts become more common.
- Mowing and chemical inputs contribute to carbon emissions (petrol mowers, fertiliser production).
- Biodiversity remains low in closely cut grass areas.
Need for change:
Local authorities, parish, and town councils should rethink grass management to:
- Build climate resilience (cope with heatwaves, drought, flooding).
- Enhance biodiversity by creating more natural, species-rich habitats.
- Support health and wellbeing benefits for communities without losing recreational value.
Emerging solutions:
- Planting wildflower meadows and species-rich grasslands is becoming more common.
- A shift towards a less intensively managed, more natural approach is needed — balancing recreational areas with ecologically valuable spaces.
Key message:
Closely mown grass will still have a place (e.g. for sports, play), but there must be a greater mix of habitats and reduced mowing intensity to respond to climate and ecological pressures.