Open Spaces

Glasgow's Open Space Vision is:

"To ensure Glasgow continues to be a "dear green place" for both residents and visitors alike by integrating open space into all aspects of the city's activities in ways that promote sustainability, equality and enhance quality of life."

LES also has responsibility for the management and maintenance of Glasgow's parks and open spaces, which includes 91 Parks (covering 3,160 hectares), 1,029 hectares of woodlands and 24 hectares dedicated to allotments. In Glasgow there is a long tradition in the pursuit of a high quality built environment and public realm, and this continues with the vision for delivering a high quality environment that supports economic vitality, improves the health of Glasgow's residents, provides opportunities for low carbon movement, builds resilience to climate change, supports ecological networks and encourages community cohesion.  However a significant amount of open space in the form of playing fields is managed on behalf of the council by Glasgow Life, and the city's Open Space Strategy is owned by Development and Regeneration Services.

The current main strategy for parks is the "Glasgow Parks and Open Spaces, Strategic Best Value Review and Implementation Plan" (SBVR) although this dates to 2005 and work is currently underway to develop a new parks strategy  for 2017-2027 (see http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/viewDoc.asp?c=P62AFQDNT1DNNTZLZ3).  This document should also be read alongside  related documents such as the allotment strategy (the current version is 2009-2013 with an updated version planned for 2017 - see http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/viewDoc.asp?c=P62AFQDNT1ZL2UDNNT).  However the broader strategic framework for open space in  contained in the Glasgow Open Space Strategy [NEED TO SOURCE DOCUMENT].  The Glasgow Open Space Strategy (GOSS) is a formal planning policy document which supports the emerging City Development Plan (CDP) looking at the quality, quantity and accessibility of all publicly usable open space in Glasgow. This includes all green spaces over 0.3 hectares. The GOSS will help inform any new Parks Strategy developed, as will the associated qualitative and quantitative open space mapping. The seven objectives of the Parks Strategy have been informed by the strategic priority themes of the GOSS.

The open space asset class has been linked to the vibrancy theme in the Council Plan.