Reimagining urban parks and their role in urban wellbeing
Nature Connection-Centred Parks™ is a campaign advocating for a national network of urban parks focused on restoring and supporting the vital relationship between city dwellers and the natural world.
Through a proactive and collaborative approach Nature Connection-Centred (NCC) Parks™ bring together park authorities and key partners in a shared mission of elevating the role parks play, and the untapped potential they have, in enhancing human, environmental and urban wellbeing.
Discover more about the NCC Parks Vision, NCC Parks Charter and Accelerator Programme below and see the vision for Nature Connection-Centred Parks in action at London’s first park-based Nature Connection Centre (NW10).
NCC Parks
Charter
Read and sign up to the Nature Connection Centred Parks™ Charter here. Be part of a pioneering new park model.
NCC Parks Accelerator
Facilitated programme helping park authorities and stakeholders establish Nature Connection-Centred Parks™.
NCC Parks
Network
Join the NCC Parks Network and help promote and grow a bold vision the Nature Connection-Centred Parks™ national network.
Nature Connection Centre (NW10)
Discover the UKs first urban park Nature Connection Centre. A consortium-led space putting our urban park vision into practice.
The Nature Connection-Centred Parks™ Charter is a commitment framework for establishing a Nature Connection-Centred Park.
The charter outlines the seven park commitments necessary to reposition an urban park as a designated Nature Connection-Centred Park promoting impactful and sustainable community Nature connection.
Nature Connection- Centred Parks Charter
1
Role of Urban Parks in Rebuilding
Human-Nature Relationships
We recognise urban parks are unique places for supporting human-Nature connections that offer significant and important physical, mental and environmental benefits to cities and their residents and that communities need support in recognising and addressing their Nature-deficit requiring a proactive and progressive approach to urban Nature connection in parks.
2
Commitment to Nature Connection-Centred Park Programming
We commit to authorising and supporting regular Nature connection-centred initiatives and activities within our NCC Park. Programming will prioritise immersive, educational, and restorative Nature connection opportunities that offer meaningful and lasting relationships between people, park Nature and the natural world as a whole.
3
Support Community Access to Impactful Nature Connection Support
We commit to ensuring that local communities have access to regular, professional, accessible and inclusive Nature connection support within the park. Our efforts will promote inclusion and representation, and will seek to reflect the diverse needs of all park users, regardless of background.
4
Foster Collaboration Between Parks and Nature Connection Providers
We proactively encourage collaboration between park custodians and Nature connection providers, organisations and professionals. By working together we maximise the impact, quality, and reach of our Nature connection efforts, resources, and expertise, and support a more effective and sustainable network of NCC Parks.
5
Distinguish Nature Connection from Sport/Leisure Park Activity
We recognise the distinction between Nature connection-centred programming and traditional park activities. Traditional park activities primarily serve recreation and leisure, whilst Nature connection activities primarily focus on deepening relationships with the natural world in conjunction with wellbeing, ecological awareness or sustainability.
6
Support Delivery and Sustainability of Nature Connection Activity
Park authorities commit to actively supporting the delivery and long-term sustainability of high-quality Nature connection activities. This includes identifying and removing barriers—whether administrative, financial, or logistical—and ensuring these programmes are thoughtfully integrated into broader park offerings, enriching the experience for all users.
7
Connect Local Communities to Nature Connection Centred Agendas
We are committed to empowering local communities and park users to actively engage in the NCC Parks agenda. NCC Parks will encourage community participation by providing mechanisms for local residents to inform, steer, and give feedback on Nature connection programming in their parks.
Adopting the Nature Connection-Centred Parks™ Charter
There are 10 steps to integrating the Charter's principles into the policies, practices and culture of the park authority.
Below are the steps for adopting the Charter, along with examples: 1. Sign Up and Formal Endorsement Once a park authority registers their interest, they will need to pass a formal resolution or statement at a board meeting, publicly affirming their commitment to the Nature Connection Centred Parks Charter. They might release an official declaration highlighting their adoption of the Charter and align their mission with the charter's goals. 2. Policy Integration A park authority may update internal policies to reflect the charter's principles. For instance, a local government might include "nature connection programming" as a priority in their Parks and Recreation Master Plan. 3. Resource Allocation Example: A park authority could allocate specific funding and/or staff resources to implement or support Nature Connection Centred programming, demonstrating their commitment through budgetary support. 4. Staff Training and Capacity Building Example: A city council could train park staff and volunteers in best practice for supporting or delivering Nature connection-centred activities, ensuring they have the skills to uphold the charter's principles. 5. Collaboration and Partnerships A park authority should look to engage or partner with local Nature-connection related organisations or experts to support or co-design Nature Connection- Centred programming, thereby diversifying and scaling offer and strengthening community engagement, sustainability and resource sharing. 6. Public Communication and Advocacy Example: A park authority could promote their adoption of the charter through public campaigns, park signage, promotional use of the Nature Connection Centred Park logo, social media, and events, educating the public on the importance of nature connection and aims of the Charter. 7. Establishing Metrics and Accountability Example: A parks department might set measurable goals, such as increasing the number of nature connection events by 20% over the next year or reducing or eliminating site fees for certain Nature connection activities, or surveying session participants to gauge the impact of Nature connection programming. 8. Participatory Mechanisms Example: Organisations could establish advisory groups or community engagements where residents provide input on making Nature connection activities accessible and sustainable. 9. Pilot Programmes Example: A city or council might designate a pilot park as their ‘Nature Connection Centred Park Pilot’ testing new programming and infrastructure to reflect the charter’s principles before expanding the approach city or borough wide. 10. Annual Reporting and Audits Example: Organisations could publish an annual report detailing progress in implementing the charter’s commitments, including success stories, challenges, and future plans. By taking these actions, park custodians demonstrate their seriousness about aligning with the Charter and ensure that their commitments urban park Nature connection lead to tangible, measurable and lasting outcomes.
NCC Park
Accelerator
The NCC Park Accelerator is a fast-track facilitated programme helping park authorities and stakeholders collaborate and transition their urban green spaces into proactive, sustainable and future-focused Nature Connection-Centred Parks™.
Book a Free Consultation
Find out more about the Nature Connection-Centred Parks™ campaign; Nature Connection-Centred Parks™ Charter; and Accelerator Programme by booking a consultation with our advice team. We are here to answer your questions and support your application.