Parks are good for us – so why are they being neglected? | Patrick Barkham
by Patrick Barkham from on (#ZKP9)
It may seem sensible for Brighton and Hove city council to save 175,000 a year by sacking its rangers, but the hidden costs are great








Shortly before Christmas, the nine rangers who look after the parks and green spaces of Brighton and Hove were sent a text message from their bosses: six will lose their jobs under the Labour council's austerity budget, a bonfire not of bureaucrats but of guardians of our green spaces.
Most of us imagine a squadron of Percy the Park Keepers if invited to consider "countryside managers". In fact, this was a burgeoning profession. But conservation, keeping urban greenery safe and accessible, maintaining rights of way and promoting the outdoors are now considered inessential next to other duties of local government.
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