Ealing Man's Dream To Make London First 'National Park City'
Initiative moves step closer as Mayor Sadiq Khan gives his backing
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London could become the first National Park City thanks to the work of an Ealing man and his colleagues.
Daniel Raven-Ellison is a National Geographic Explorer and lives with his family in Hanwell, an area that partially inspired him to start the campaign.
Next month a major conference will be taking place at the South Bank Centre bringing his dream one step closer.
Most people know what a National Park is … but can you explain what a National Park City is all about?
A National Park City would take inspiration from the aims and values of our current national parks, bringing people together to better conserve, enjoy and benefit from our natural and cultural heritage, but in a way that is appropriate for London. Clearly London's city landscape and urban habitat is very different from mountains and moorlands, but what makes it special is the potential of millions of people to not just protect and enjoy nature, but actually create it. If you think about it, from gardens and parks, London already has a long and proud tradition of protecting and enjoying green, blue and wilder places. That's why the capital is the most biologically diverse region of the UK, with over 13,000 species of wildlife.What difference would it make for London to be one?
It would make a difference in many areas, from what children learn about and do in schools to the kinds of services that businesses create. London being the world's first National Park City is a powerful way to communicate some of the capitals greatest assets.
It has the very real potential to make Londoners healthier too. The NHS is really illness infrastructure for when things go wrong. We want to make London a greener, healthier and more enjoyable place to live, aims that will strengthen the capital's wellness infrastructure which feels under constant threat.
I'm personally inspired by the issue of too many children not being allowed to explore, play and learn outdoors. Every place is different - Hanwell feels much better than Northfields - when it comes to letting children have the freedom to have fun and be healthy, but I think that making London a National Park City will help to set the tone for more kids playing outdoors and the spread of initiatives to make that happen. Why can't more streets be play streets more of the time? Aren't kids more important than cars?
There are already millions of Londoners and thousands of organisations doing incredible work in London that supports this vision. We want to find the resources to catalyse, scale-up and spread these successes.
Who is supporting this venture?
London will be the very first National Park City. It will not be a national park, will not have any formal planning powers and will exist outside of legislation. This means there is the opportunity for Londoners to do this for themselves - and we are. We've said that once we have the support of the Mayor of London and two-thirds of Londons wards there will be a sufficient mandate to declare London a National Park City. As of today we have the support of Sadiq Khan and 44% of the wards we need. The campaign has had the support of Ealing Council from near the beginning, which is fantastic.What stage is it currently at?
We need to recruit the support of 243 more ward teams. Once that's happened, we can move forward with making things happen.Tell us about the event in September.
Being held at the Royal Festival Hall, 21st September The Making of a National Park City is an evening of provocative and proactive talks. It's an opportunity to learn more about this big idea for London and to discover how to get involved. Hosted by comedian Josie Long and with the Bollywood Brass Band thrown in, it will be a very entertaining evening. Other speakers include an inspirational fireman, poet, headteacher, photographer and more.How else can people get involved?
1. Come to the event.
2. Get involved through our website http://www.nationalparkcity.london/
3. Make your porch, balcony, garden or a tree pit a little wilder.
Can we make Ealing the wildest borough in London?
25th August 2016
