New strategy to build on rich diversity of parks and green spaces

Article date: 20 November 2025

The Open Spaces Strategy was approved by St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet, which outlines the council's work to support green spaces and build on the strong foundations that has seen a growth in Green Flag Parks, more opportunities for exciting events to take place across the borough and work to protect the native flora and wildlife that thrive here.

Councillor Tracy Dickinson, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services, said: "I'm really proud that as a council we are committed to keeping our open spaces serving our communities in a range of ways. This strategy showcases the many opportunities ourselves and our partners are focusing on providing green spaces that engage with everything from providing opportunities for free and low-cost family days out, providing ways to keep active and healthy, and nurturing our priority to make sure our borough is greener through supporting local habitats to thrive.

"With more than half of St Helens Borough being green, open spaces we want to continue to focus on how we can improve these spaces through partnership working. We have many fantastic friends of groups supporting our parks, while we are always looking at ways to bring in revenue like Reminisce at Sherdley Park and the fairground at Taylor Park that is directly reinvested into these green spaces.

"Meanwhile we're using our green spaces to meet our climate emergency responsibilities by planting more trees and wildflower meadows at sites across the borough and using open green spaces in places like Sankey Valley to create leaky dams that act as natural flood management systems to protect our communities.

"Finally we're proud that our green spaces are providing people with easy access to those wanting to keep active with things like play grounds and the ever-popular Park Runs that bring so many out, come rain or shine every weekend."

The strategy sets out the open spaces across the borough, highlighting in each area the different projects that are currently running or have been completed. It also includes an action plan that will help to meet the strategy's aim which is 'Together we will make our open spaces safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for the people of St Helens'.

This is set out through six aims which are:

· Making safe and high-quality places.

· Offering fun and active opportunities for all.

· Helping nature grow and stay healthy.

· Looking after nature.

· Working with the community.

· Developing commercial & funding opportunities

Read the full strategy online here: St Helens Borough Open Space Strategy