The HealthyParks Framework
The HealthyParks Framework
The HealthyParks Framework

The Healthy Parks Framework

The Framework breaks down the complexity and provides a clear structure for capturing the health benefits and value from parks.

What is the Healthy Parks Framework?

The Healthy Parks Framework is a pioneering policy-decision support tool that can support park managers and communities plan, maintain and assess their local open spaces and parks to improve the health of everyone.

Our framework is simple to use. It has ten key characteristics to help understand how well a park supports the health of communities, and helps to think through what can be done to improve the environment, facilities and activities on offer.

Our Framework considers the multi-faceted role that parks play in local areas, providing quiet respite from urban stress, a place to reconnect with nature, a social space to meet friends or join community groups, or a place to get active.

The Healthy Parks Framework 

The Healthy Parks Framework combines 10 key identified characteristics with 3 underlined values.


Icons show key characteristics of a park that will promote health & address health inequalities.

Characteristics can be assessed via a range of indicators. 

The values underpin the governance of parks to promote social justice & environmental sustainability à both support health.

↓ download Framework Wheel (jpg)

The HealthyParks Framework

Safe spaces & routes

Park spaces and routes near to parks are safe, have good visibility and are, well-lit at night.

Open & communicated to all

Everyone is able to access and understand information about park spaces, park facilities and the activities on offer in the park (e.g. signage, wayfinding, promotion material and online information). 

Active spaces

Park spaces offer opportunities for physical activity of different types and for differing abilities (e.g. playing equipment, sports fields, paths, gardens). Activities and active spaces are provided for different groups (e.g. genders and ages) and levels of disability.

Quiet & calm spaces

The park offers quiet and tranquil spaces that can be used for rest, respite and restoration by everyone.

Welcoming & inclusive

Entrances and pathways within the park space are accessible for different abilities. There is a shared sense of ownership across different park user groups (e.g., for different age groups, and for people with diverse life circumstances etc). Users of all genders, ethnicities and those with disabilities feel welcome and experience a sense of belonging. Park users broadly reflect the wider demographics of the neighbourhood.

Reflects locality

The park has some distinct features relevant to the local community and its local heritage. There are some community-led activities on offer and/or opportunities for local communities to be involved in.

Fun spaces & activities

Park spaces provide varied opportunities for fun, play and being creative. The park has points of intrigue that encourage visitors to stop, look and engage (e.g. artwork, maker stations, local facts, wildlife information, etc)

Comfortable spaces

Park spaces are well maintained, clean and comfortable. The park has areas of shading and low pollution. Visitors have access to facilities (e.g. WC, baby changing, disabled facilities, litter bins, water points) within the space, or signposted nearby.

Variety of landscapes

The park has a variety of landscapes, planting and space types that encourage biodiversity, exploration and diverse activities 

Connected green network & routes

The park is part of a connected system of greenspaces. There are accessible and green routes between nearby parks

How can the Framework be used?

The HealthyParks Framework

Educate publics / policymakers about relationship between parks &  health

The HealthyParks Framework

Assess & maintain existing spaces &  facilities with health principles in mind

The HealthyParks Framework

Identify elements of a space & its facilities significant for public health

The HealthyParks Framework

Plan spaces, activities &  facilities with health in mind

The HealthyParks Framework

Engage publics &  other stakeholders in these processes

Please provide your email address to download the tool. By submitting your email, you consent to its storage by us. We will not share your information with third parties. You may also receive future communications from the Healthy Parks Framework team regarding feedback.



    The HealthyParks Framework

    Who can use the Framework?

    The HealthyParks Framework

    Policy Makers
    & Local Authorities

    The HealthyParks Framework

    Park Managers

    The HealthyParks Framework

    Local Communities

    What do we mean by health and wellbeing?

    Health and wellbeing are related terms that can be considered at individual and collective levels. Health can be broadly defined as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ (WHO 2021). Definitions of wellbeing are complex and diverse. Most definitions consider wellbeing either as a description of a person’s quality of life or an account of how they feel they can cope with everyday life. This means that the determinants of wellbeing can be both internal and external. 

    What do we mean by parks?

    The term ‘park’ is a generic spatial term which can cover a range of spaces in terms of scale, form and function. Some of these spaces are ‘green’, however the term can include open space with limited greenery e.g. playgrounds.

    What are the links between parks and health?

    Parks and open spaces are vital for our health. They provide us with places for rest and relaxation, a space for exercise and opportunities to meet and connect with others. Relaxation, physical activity and socialising keep us happy and healthy.

    Healthy parks are safe, accessible, and have spaces for fun as well as areas for quiet respite from our everyday stresses. Healthy parks provide are welcoming social spaces to meet friends, join a group and get active. Healthy parks provide good quality environments, that keep us cool in the heat and provide clear air to breathe. They enable us to connect with nature, and allow birds, animals and plants to flourish.

    The HealthyParks Framework

    The Healthy Parks Framework

    The Framework breaks down the complexity and provides a clear structure for capturing the health benefits and value from parks.

    What is the Healthy Parks Framework?

    The Healthy Parks Framework is a pioneering policy-decision support tool that can support park managers and communities plan, maintain and assess their local open spaces and parks to improve the health of everyone.

    Our framework is simple to use. It has ten key characteristics to help understand how well a park supports the health of communities, and helps to think through what can be done to improve the environment, facilities and activities on offer.

    Our Framework considers the multi-faceted role that parks play in local areas, providing quiet respite from urban stress, a place to reconnect with nature, a social space to meet friends or join community groups, or a place to get active.

    The Healthy Parks Framework 

    The HealthyParks Framework

    The Healthy Parks Framework combines 10 key identified characteristics with 3 underlined values.


    Icons show key characteristics of a park that will promote health & address health inequalities.

    Characteristics can be assessed via a range of indicators. 

    The values underpin the governance of parks to promote social justice & environmental sustainability à both support health.

    ↓ download Framework Wheel (jpg)

    Safe spaces & routes

    Park spaces and routes near to parks are safe, have good visibility and are, well-lit at night.

    Open & communicated to all

    Everyone is able to access and understand information about park spaces, park facilities and the activities on offer in the park (e.g. signage, wayfinding, promotion material and online information). 

    Active spaces

    Park spaces offer opportunities for physical activity of different types and for differing abilities (e.g. playing equipment, sports fields, paths, gardens). Activities and active spaces are provided for different groups (e.g. genders and ages) and levels of disability.

    Quiet & calm spaces

    The park offers quiet and tranquil spaces that can be used for rest, respite and restoration by everyone.

    Welcoming & inclusive

    Entrances and pathways within the park space are accessible for different abilities. There is a shared sense of ownership across different park user groups (e.g., for different age groups, and for people with diverse life circumstances etc). Users of all genders, ethnicities and those with disabilities feel welcome and experience a sense of belonging. Park users broadly reflect the wider demographics of the neighbourhood.

    Reflects locality

    The park has some distinct features relevant to the local community and its local heritage. There are some community-led activities on offer and/or opportunities for local communities to be involved in.

    Fun spaces & activities

    Park spaces provide varied opportunities for fun, play and being creative. The park has points of intrigue that encourage visitors to stop, look and engage (e.g. artwork, maker stations, local facts, wildlife information, etc)

    Comfortable spaces

    Park spaces are well maintained, clean and comfortable. The park has areas of shading and low pollution. Visitors have access to facilities (e.g. WC, baby changing, disabled facilities, litter bins, water points) within the space, or signposted nearby.

    Variety of landscapes

    The park has a variety of landscapes, planting and space types that encourage biodiversity, exploration and diverse activities 

    Connected green network & routes

    The park is part of a connected system of greenspaces. There are accessible and green routes between nearby parks

    How can the Framework be used?

    The HealthyParks Framework

    Educate publics / policymakers about relationship between parks &  health

    The HealthyParks Framework

    Assess & maintain existing spaces &  facilities with health principles in mind

    The HealthyParks Framework

    Plan spaces, activities &  facilities with health in mind

    The HealthyParks Framework

    Identify elements of a space & its facilities significant for public health

    The HealthyParks Framework

    Engage publics &  other stakeholders in these processes

    The HealthyParks Framework

    Please provide your email address to download the tool. By submitting your email, you consent to its storage by us. We will not share your information with third parties. You may also receive future communications from the Healthy Parks Framework team regarding feedback.



      Who can use the Framework?

      The HealthyParks Framework

      Policy Makers
      & Local Authorities

      The HealthyParks Framework

      Park Managers

      The HealthyParks Framework

      Local Communities

      What do we mean by health and wellbeing?

      Health and wellbeing are related terms that can be considered at individual and collective levels. Health can be broadly defined as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ (WHO 2021). Definitions of wellbeing are complex and diverse. Most definitions consider wellbeing either as a description of a person’s quality of life or an account of how they feel they can cope with everyday life. This means that the determinants of wellbeing can be both internal and external. 

      What do we mean by parks?

      The term ‘park’ is a generic spatial term which can cover a range of spaces in terms of scale, form and function. Some of these spaces are ‘green’, however the term can include open space with limited greenery e.g. playgrounds.

      What are the links between parks and health?

      Parks and open spaces are vital for our health. They provide us with places for rest and relaxation, a space for exercise and opportunities to meet and connect with others. Relaxation, physical activity and socialising keep us happy and healthy.

      Healthy parks are safe, accessible, and have spaces for fun as well as areas for quiet respite from our everyday stresses. Healthy parks provide are welcoming social spaces to meet friends, join a group and get active. Healthy parks provide good quality environments, that keep us cool in the heat and provide clear air to breathe. They enable us to connect with nature, and allow birds, animals and plants to flourish.