Human resources
The Institute of Parks and Green Space
The UK's only institute solely dedicated to parks and green spaces
The return of the parkie
Why Bury MBC have reintroduced park keepersMike Bent, Spaces&Places, October 2005
Case studies:
Staff training
Horticultural Training
Park keeper provision
Park keeper role redefinition
Ranger employment
Staff training
Horticultural Training
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Basingstoke and Deane DC
City-wide
Basingstoke, Hampshire
As part of meeting their Best Value targets, the Council recognised the necessity to improve horticultural and wider skills, which had declined through years of CCT. A strategy was developed to ensure appropriate training at all levels, ranging from a diploma in management for a contract manager to machinery competence instruction for contractors. Five-day, tailor-made courses in horticulture were organised in partnership with Sparsholt College, coupled with in-house training. The local authority feel that it has been directly responsible for raising staff morale and confidence.
Vic Lee (Head of Direct Services) T: 01256 845 657
City-wide
Basingstoke, Hampshire
As part of meeting their Best Value targets, the Council recognised the necessity to improve horticultural and wider skills, which had declined through years of CCT. A strategy was developed to ensure appropriate training at all levels, ranging from a diploma in management for a contract manager to machinery competence instruction for contractors. Five-day, tailor-made courses in horticulture were organised in partnership with Sparsholt College, coupled with in-house training. The local authority feel that it has been directly responsible for raising staff morale and confidence.
Vic Lee (Head of Direct Services) T: 01256 845 657
Park keeper provision
Park keeper role redefinition
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Newcastle City Council
City-wide
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
In 2001, the City Council terminated its service level agreement with its parks security service and used the money saved to employ more park keepers. All park keepers were supplied with mobile phones, and those without horticultural background received training. This has resulted in a minimum of two park keepers for most parks, creating a greater sense of ownership for staff, being closely linked with ‘Friends’ and user groups. There are future plans to transform other grounds maintenance staff, such as tree care workers, into park keepers.
Anthony McKenna (Parks Manager) T: 0191 211 6253
City-wide
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
In 2001, the City Council terminated its service level agreement with its parks security service and used the money saved to employ more park keepers. All park keepers were supplied with mobile phones, and those without horticultural background received training. This has resulted in a minimum of two park keepers for most parks, creating a greater sense of ownership for staff, being closely linked with ‘Friends’ and user groups. There are future plans to transform other grounds maintenance staff, such as tree care workers, into park keepers.
Anthony McKenna (Parks Manager) T: 0191 211 6253
Ranger employment
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Newcastle City Council
City-wide
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
The employment of new rangers across the city's parks on mopeds is seen as an efficient method of increasing communication and safety across the city’s urban green space. It is part of the Council’s commitment to enhance its face-to-face relationship with the community, increasing awareness of a point-of-contact for the public, acting as a focus. There is a strong environmental education focus to their role as well as site inspections, responding to the public’s desire to see a return to site-based management.
Anthony McKenna (Parks Manager) T: 0191 211 6253
City-wide
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
The employment of new rangers across the city's parks on mopeds is seen as an efficient method of increasing communication and safety across the city’s urban green space. It is part of the Council’s commitment to enhance its face-to-face relationship with the community, increasing awareness of a point-of-contact for the public, acting as a focus. There is a strong environmental education focus to their role as well as site inspections, responding to the public’s desire to see a return to site-based management.
Anthony McKenna (Parks Manager) T: 0191 211 6253