"As a keen parkrun participant myself and through their membership of the Alliance, I see first-hand how successful these organised runs are in getting 1000s of people active across the UK. Everyone should have the chance to experience sport and recreation in an inclusive and accessible environment and parkrun do a great job in getting lots of people in the community running on a weekly basis.
A more active nation is a strategic priority of ours and one that features heavily in the new Government sport strategy. Imposing a charge for a parkrun feels at odds with a strategy aimed at improving the nation’s physical and mental wellbeing.
I understand that Stoke Gifford Parish Council near Bristol is under financial pressure to maintain the local facilities, but the decision of charging Little Stoke Park runners for the maintenance of the pathways, seems counterproductive to the aims of breaking down the barriers to get more people active.
At the moment over 2,000 people have signed a petition to allow parkrun to continue in the park near Bristol. This is indicative of the value parkrun has on the local community and I encourage all Sport and Recreation Alliance members and supporters to back initiatives like this to protect access to sport and recreation in local communities."
Emma Boggis, Chief Executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance
New research shows playing fields and pitches deliver at least £2bn in improved wellbeing every year and help keep almost 4 million people active, including 1 million children.
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Below we provide an update on a number of our current policy-related workstreams, from the announcement of the NHS 10 Year Plan, to a number of additional issues - including planning reforms, the EHRC consultation on gender, Select and APPG inquiries into Healthy Ageing, and Access to Nature.
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The Sport and Recreation Alliance welcomes Government’s commitment to investing in community sport, recreation and physical activity, and its recognition of the social and economic value it provides.
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Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!
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